29 weeks

Today was possibly the first day my tummy felt uncomfortable. It feels warm, itchy, and like it is being pulled outward. The baby must be growing. We are moving right along now.

I had a doctor appointment yesterday. All went very well. The doctor was very impressed by my glucose readings. He said not many people are able to do half as good a job as me. That made me feel good. I've been working really hard and really limiting the foods that I normally enjoy. I've probably had one cookie in the last 5 weeks, and cookies are my favorite. We had an ultrasound, and it's a little harder to "see" the baby since he is taking up so much room in there. We did get a pretty good view of his face (non-3D), but his eyes look very cutely-spaced, and he was yawning. He was moving around a lot, right down to wiggling his toes. Dr. confirmed again that he is a boy. He said it's blatantly obvious. SO fun! Baby, here is one of your little feet!

I can't wait to cup your little foot in my hand. I can already tell that you are just so sweet.

Things were looking pretty positive as far as getting everything all set for you...that is - until we learned that we can no longer stay at this house. We need to be out by the end of July. I don't really know where we will go or how we will manage this. I'm sure we'll have a place to stay of some sort. Regardless, you'll be loved and well cared for. This really isn't anything someone should have to worry about with just 10 weeks left of her pregnancy. But, such is the pattern of my life, isn't it? I'm getting quite used to it. However, even though I am used to it, I don't know how many more times I can handle things like this.

That's about all the updates I have for now. The doctor told me that everything is pretty much done as far as your development. You're just gonna do a little more growing. I have a Group B strep test coming up, a couple more appointments, and then we'll be going every week for some special monitoring. He said I'll get to wear a monitor just like during deliveries...so I'll really get to hear your heartbeat and your movements. I'm praying you and I are both healthy when the Big Day comes (your birthday, that is)!

Little You at 29 weeks! (Doctor says you were head up/breech at the time of the ultrasound....but there's plenty of time yet).

26 Weeks

Hi! I'm just stopping by to write a quick post about week 26 of this pregnancy. I met with the dietitian and diabetes specialist yesterday and learned a bunch of new things about the diet I will have to follow as well as glucose monitoring. I am READY to do this and do all that I can for myself and the baby.

It is kind of fun to check my glucose at home. The strips look just like the ones we have at work for the Novameter. The lancet contraption is a little different, but after playing around with it once, I got the hang of it. I hope my fingers heal quickly - it kind of seems torturous to have to poke myself 4 times a day! Every other day, I have to check for ketones with a reagent strip. It's just like a miniature at-home lab! See?!

I don't think it will be hard to adjust to this new diet - eating more mindfully is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, and now I finally have the motivation to go for it! They would also like for me to walk for 10 minutes following each meal. Although difficult at the time, this is even more reason why my new job will be much more convenient.

Otherwise, things are going really great! I made a newborn checklist on Amazon.com and was able to order a bunch of stuff from it, all of which has arrived! It was like Christmas! I found some adorable newborn gowns (there is nothing more precious than a freshly-bathed, sweet-smelling, soft-haired little baby sleeping away in a gown), bassinet sheets, crib sheets, diaper bag, etc. I also contacted a seller on Craigslist and bought a bouncer for $25. It washed up great, and is pretty much exactly what I had in mind.

The stripy cat is also a little something I ordered for the baby. Before Brody was born, I bought him a little bear, and he still snuggles it to this day. So sweet to see...

About a week ago, John and I (with some help from the kids) cleaned and rearranged our bedroom, since we'll be sharing with the baby for awhile. Johnna and I put together the bassinet - the same one Jemma and Brody slept in as newborns.

It looks so snuggly soft with the blankie in there like that. I can't wait to walk over to it and see a real baby sleeping away all snug as a bug. I wonder who he is and what he will look like!

I've also been keeping my eye out for a nice used dresser. However, Ikea has some really nice looking drawers/wardrobe that also happens to be a changing table. I've never had a changing table before, so this could be rather nice...Also, it converts into a desk for when the baby gets older. My mom agreed to go halves with me on the price, so I'm hoping to take a trip up to Ikea soon. That would mean I could start putting away and organizing baby clothes.

Last but not least, I've been picturing the baby's coming home outfit. A coworker of mine gave me some of her son's old newborn clothes. There are little corduroy overalls that say something about Bear tracking. I also picked up a little orange and yellow tie-dyed onesie. That seems like it would be super cute, but we can wait and see! Oh yeah! This is also something we need and one that is almost perfect for my taste: carseat and stroller:

I love the clouds! And Baybee, I sure love you! Can you tell? Can you tell I'm excited?

P.S. I can't forget to mention that my mom and dad picked up a crib from one of my high school friends, and she included a bunch of bedding as well as a lamp. The theme is Forest Friends, and the quilt is A.dorable! Everything is coming together!