doctor's appts #14 & #15...

I had another 2 doctor's appts today, one at my OB and one at Wilmington Maternal.  Kinda getting frustrated and worn out with all these double appts, but it is what it is.  So whatev.

My first appt was this morning at Wilmington Maternal Fetal Medicine downtown for an ultrasound to check everything.  Jeff didn't get to go with me this time, but my momma did.  And she was so excited!  Momma & Daddy are in town for our baby shower tomorrow evening so Momma was able to go with me to this appt.  She loved every minute of it -- she thought it was so neat to see the ultrasound (they didn't have those back when she had her 2 babies) and tried very diligently to figure out what she was looking at.  The baby has really grown, though, so everything just looks like a mess in there now.  But my u/s tech, George, was good about pointing out what we were seeing.  

Once again, everything looks great with the growth.  George told us the baby weighs just over 5 lbs now which is in the 42nd percentile, just above average.  He said the development is right on target with my due date.  He did mention, though, that the baby is breech right now, with his butt down toward my cervix and his body curled up around on my right side (so his head is sitting under my left boob -- sorry, guys).

Dr. Radick (Dr. Wright's new partner) came in and told us everything looked great but that the kidneys were still larger than normal so they would continue to keep an eye on that and start checking my fluid levels a little more closely to be sure everything progressed the way it should.

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My next appt was this afternoon at my OB's office and they did an NST, or nonstress test.  That was really pretty cool.  They strapped 2 external fetal monitors to my belly and had me sit in this really comfy recliner.  It coulda been a La-Z-Boy.  I'm just sayin'.

The one monitor was sitting right where the heart primarily was so they could monitor the heartbeat, and every time I felt any movement I was supposed to push the button on this handheld thing she gave me (like buzzing in on Jeopardy :).  I was amazed at how much I could hear him moving around and not actually feel the movement itself (to be able to push the button).  He really moves around a lot and I can't even feel it all, only the major moves, kicks or rolls that he does.  

So this whole time I'm strapped up -- about 35-40 min, I would guess -- we've got the Kentucky Derby going on in there.  That's what his heartbeat sounded like, and what Dr. Hall even said, too.  And you could hear the heartbeat increase and decrease with movement, etc.  After they unhooked me, the nurse told me that the other monitor they strapped on my belly was to monitor any contractions I might have and to see how the baby's heartbeat did through that.  I did have at least one contraction while I was sitting there (just a Braxton Hicks which I've been feeling for quite a few weeks now), possibly 2, so I'm glad that happened so they can read how Deacon did through it.  I assume Dr. Hall read the strip before she came in to see me so he must've done okay.  :)

She said that everything still looked great with the development and his heartbeat, etc.  She mentioned that she saw the baby was breech from my u/s this morning and told me that they do not deliver babies breech -- which I knew already -- but that that didn't necessarily mean a c-section.  She said they had methods to try to turn him, if he didn't automatically turn on his own between now and then.  I mean, we do still have 6 weeks left.  Let's not rush things, for cryin' out loud!

After today's appts, I'm starting weekly appts with my OB and every 2 weeks (if necessary) with Wilmington Maternal.  My OB will do an NST each time to just be sure the baby is still handling everything well.  I hope Jeff will be able to get to one of those with me -- it was pretty neat to hear the baby and his heartbeat for that long and I think Jeff would enjoy that.  :)

31 weeks today...

31 weeks today.  9 weeks to go... OMW.  People keep telling me that the last month, month and a half will feel like time has come to a screeching halt, and I'm really okay with that.  There are still a lot of things to get done, details to work out, so I'll take all the time, "perceived" or not, I can get!

Here's what's been happening with our baby boy this past week, according to babycenter.com:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

As a matter of fact, he HAS had a couple of "parties" in the wee hours of the morning, kicking and rolling all around.  He's pretty active nowadays, especially in the mornings up to lunchtime or so -- the way I sit in my computer chair gets him going, I guess.

Whattoexpect.com had a few other little tidbits to share:

Weighing in at three-plus pounds and measuring 18 inches long, your baby is quickly approaching his birth length — though he's got to pack on another three to five pounds before D-day. Also developing at an impressive clip: your baby's brain connections (he's got to make trillions of them!). He's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why you're probably noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still).

I can tell you those oranges are not sitting in THAT formation in my belly -- I know there's ONE stuck up in my ribs permanently, it seems.  :)

doctor's appts #11 & #12...

I had 2 more doc appts today, one at Wilmington Maternal and one at Carolina OB/Gyn.

The first was at MF and everything went well.  Our ultrasound tech, Melissa, was really nice and did her thing.  She took my blood pressure first and it was 110/70.  FABULOUS!  That's REALLY LOW for me.  I'll take it.  :)

When the ultrasound started, I was kind of perplexed.  This was the first time that everything just looked kind of like a mess up on the screen -- I couldn't really make out what she was looking at a lot of the time.  We found out later that's because the baby is facing my back bone.

Oh.  Well, that explains it then.

She and Dr. Wright (yes, I finally met *the elusive Dr. Wright*) both said that everything looks great.  The baby weighs 3 lbs, 2 oz -- a "beautiful" weight.  The kidneys were, again, an object of examination, not that anything is wrong, just that they are still larger than the norm.  In fact, Dr. Wright came in specifically to reassure us that they didn't see any cause of concern with the kidneys, that there was nothing to worry about but that it would just be something they keep an eye on until delivery.  After he's born, the pediatrician will probably take a closer look just to be sure there's nothing of concern to see.  I'm okay with that.  They are keeping an eye on things and erring on the side of caution so that's definitely reassuring to me.

Melissa could tell that he was very active today -- and I could, too.  He was kicking and moving, making it a little more difficult to get what she needed.  We didn't get any fun photos from the ultrasound -- mostly because like I said before, everything just looked like a mess -- but Melissa did confirm, yet again, that he is still a boy.  THAT'S the photo we got.  

Why do they think I need another photo of my son's teeny, tiny wee-wee?

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After MF, we headed over to the 17th St. location of Carolina for the 2nd appt -- just a "hop, skip and jump" from MF so that worked out well.  I saw Dr. Hall today who I'd heard great things about.  I was not disappointed.  :)  She was really nice and did her thing, too.  My blood pressure there was 132/70 which was more in the normal range for me and they were happy with that.

She listened to the baby's heartbeat and said it was good and strong.  She measured me and said I was measuring right around 30 weeks so that was right (30 weeks this Sunday according to my due date).  She checked my feet & legs for swelling and I mentioned that I had some swelling in my left foot -- not so much my right foot (unless it's the end of the day and I'd been on my feet a lot or out in the heat, etc.). She said that was great, especially for Aug 20 and the heat we'd been having.  Just told me to keep drinking lots of fluids which I try to be pretty conscious about.

So 2 good reports to start the weekend off right.  I'm happy.  :)

29 weeks today...

Good gracious, these weeks are going by so fast...29 weeks today!

This is what babycenter.com says has been happening this week:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

And whattoexpect.com said this:

 

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost 17 inches tall now (nearly as tall as he will be at birth), and close to three pounds (a weight that will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling — by delivery time). His wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface. This fat, called white fat, is different from the earlier brown fat that your developing fetus accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation while white fat (the fat you have, Mom) actually serves as an energy source.

Which explains why your energizer baby feels so…well…energized! Space in your baby's living quarters is now at a premium, so you'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. But those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because your baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light, and that candy bar donut you ate half an hour ago.

Luckily, your baby doesn't have teeth yet that would need a brushing after that sugary treat, but it won't be long before you'll need to buy that first baby toothbrush! You'll recall that your baby's baby-teeth buds formed weeks ago, but now the buds for permanent teeth are forming in his gums as well.

And back to those kicks, who's counting? Actually, you should be. Now's a good time to start doing a kick count twice a day to make sure baby's doing just fine (plus, it's a good excuse for a rest). Lie down (preferably after a snack) and keep track of your baby's movements. You're looking for at least ten movements in an hour's time (don't forget to count movements of any kind — kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, and so on).

 

doctor's appt #10...

I had another doctor's appt today -- I'm now going to my OB every 2 weeks (instead of 4) -- crazy!

Today's appt went well.  My blood pressure was relatively normal and according to their scale, I hadn't gained any weight in the last 2 weeks so that's great!  I feel like I have been gaining weight like crazy so that part of the appt always worries me.  I'm always afraid someone is going to mention it and tell me I've got to slow down.  So far no one has said a thing about my weight, God bless'em.  :)

I saw Dr. Vogel -- and a PA student -- today.  I think I may be getting close to meeting all the doctors now.  There may be 1 or 2 I haven't met yet.  And it always seems like there's a student following the doctor I'm going to see.  :)  I don't mind that, though.  Seriously, I think I've met 3 young girls in PA school.

Ashley (the student) checked my fundal height -- I'm measuring right on, she said -- and listened to the baby's heartbeat with the doppler.  She actually pointed out the heartbeat and the sound the umbilical cord makes -- never had anyone point out the subtle difference before, so that was kinda neat.  Both sounded very healthy.

Dr. Vogel mentioned that at this point in the pregnancy I need to be taking count of the fetal movement at some point each day.  Nothing official but just to count at least 5-6 movements within an hour's time at some point during the day when I know he's awake and will be active.  No problem there -- when this kid is awake, it's at least 5-6 movements, if not way more than that.  Even so, Dr. Vogel said that if at any time I can't count at least that many in an hour's time, I should give them a call.  After that, he looked over my chart and said everything is looking great -- "don't change a thing!".

Roger that.  :)  

23 weeks today...

I'm 23 weeks today.  There've been some exciting things happening this week.  :)

Whattoexpect.com described this week's development this way:

Your little doll-sized babe is about to chub up a bit. His saggy skin will start to fit his frame as fat deposits fill things out. Beginning this week, he'll start to pack on the pounds (which means you will too!) and by month's end he'll be double the weight he is now (though you won't be — whew!). Right now, your baby's organs and bones are visible through his skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath. But once those fat deposits settle in, he'll become less transparent.

And here's what babycenter.com had to say:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

Yeah, our baby boy has been hearing the vaccuum quite a bit recently with guests visiting this past weekend and the one before.  All that sawdust that Jeff tracks in... :)

And as I said in my last post, he's been moving around a lot.  As a matter of fact, Jeff finally got to feel him move this past Friday!  We were sitting on the loveseat together, he was checking Facebook (on his phone) and I was reading.  I started to feel Deacon move around and start kicking so I watched for a little while and then told Jeff to "look here".  He didn't see the kick at first, but then Deacon kicked again and he saw that one.  He got a big grin on his face and said, "I saw that one!" and immediately put his hand over on my right side.  Jeff got to feel him kick a few times before Deacon figured out he was "performing" for us and stopped.  :)  I think Jeff was really excited to finally feel his boy kick.  I've been trying to stay conscious of when he's moving so that I can tell Jeff and he can have another chance to feel the movements.  Jeff gets kind of impatient sometimes and pokes my belly to get Deacon to "wake up" -- he talks to him, too, saying things like "wake up, buddy!" or "hey, Deac!"  It always makes me giggle.  :)

We had my brother, sister-in-law (who, by the way, is pregnant with baby #2!) and my niece here this past weekend and we had a good time with them.  Brandi and I were able to do a little shopping at the Clothes Mentor -- the place where I had pretty good success finding maternity clothes.  I was successful once again, finding another pair of capris and a couple of tops.  It's a good thing about those capris -- I can't seem to find any shorts and I only had the one pair of capris before.  I feel like I'm wearing the same 5 things every week, just in differently matched ways!

I had a few people comment this past week that I'm "starting to show".  I think everyone's all excited to see a belly on me -- not sure why.  Maybe it's because they've all been waiting a LONG time for us to start a family.  I feel like I've been out there for awhile but all the comments have been, "Oh, look!  You're FINALLY starting to show!  It's about time!" or "Oh, I can see a little bit of a belly now...'bout time you start looking pregnant!" 

...to the beat of his own drum...

My boy is really moving now!

For the last couple of weeks, I've been feeling what I thought was probably him moving around but having never felt that before, I wasn't completely sure.  Well, I am now.  :)

He seems to be the most active during the work day, when I'm slouched sitting at my desk.  Most of the time he kicks on my right side or way down low.  It's kind of a weird feeling.  At first, it felt like the flip of a deck of cards.  Now the feeling is kind of hard to describe -- it feels a little like a roll of some sort.

It's really something, though, to feel that and know that THAT is my baby boy in there making those movements.  Last Friday, he was kicking quite a bit for some reason, on that right side, and so at one point, I looked down to where I thought he might be and saw.my.belly.move.  WHOA!

I've seen that a few more times and man, is that ever crazy!  Jeff still hasn't seen or felt it yet -- he's never around when Deacon is active enough to be seen or felt.  One of these days, though, Jeff'll be able to feel him move and I can't wait!

21 weeks today...

I'm 21 weeks today.  And here's what babycenter.com has to say about what that means:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now...

As far as the "flutters" go, I have been feeling what I think could be some movements.   Starting last Sunday, I felt a few things that I could only describe as the "flip of a deck of cards".  Just here and there, on both sides of my belly.  Some days I would feel it a lot, and other days I would hardly feel anything.  That trend has continued throughout the week.  I'm not sure if it's him or not, but I'm sure it won't be long before I'm feeling things that can't be mistaken!

I wanted to post this video of what's been happening with our little guy for the last 6 weeks, from week 15-20 -- I love these visuals!

Today is Father's day and I'd like to wish my dads -- mine and Jeff's -- a very happy one!  We were able to go visit with my family this weekend so we got to see my daddy open his Father's day present:

It looks good on him, right?  And the shirt looks good on him, too.  :)  Happy Father's Day to you both, Daddy & Duane!  Love you guys bunches!

**UPDATE**  I found a photo of Jeff's dad in HIS father's day gift and wanted to post it here:

Another proud Grandpa!

Also?  Jeff and I are celebrating 12 years of marriage today.  :)  Love that boy to pieces and am so excited to do this parenting thing with him.  We're gonna be a great team, just as we always have been.  Love you, babe!