34 weeks

I just got home from another Dr's appt, so here's the latest:

-wt: no change
-BP: 100/70
-baby's heart rate: 132 (beautiful sound...)
-fundal height: 34 weeks (yes!)
-he said the results from thr non-stress test on Tuesday were "really good"! (double yes!)
-said the BPP (Biophysical profile) u/s next Wednesday is really long & thorough. He said he should get the results that day or the next and he will call us immediately with the results.
-I asked him about changing my diet and he said to up the protein and calories (no problem)
-I asked him the reasons for the low wt gain (even though I knew the answer)....many possible reasons. Smoking, disease and unable to get proper nutrition is out for me - but there could be something wrong with the placenta or a few other things I don't remember. He also said that he doesn't believe there is a 'problem' - but the u/s will tell us if the baby isn't growing sufficiently.
-If the baby scores less then 8/8 on the BPP u/s then he will send me to a specialist. He said it wasn't fair for me to be stuck with him being just a GP.
-I also asked him if I could possibly be getting ready for labour and he said 'yes'. He said usually between 36-40 weeks the amniotic fluid decreases (which could also be an explanation for my wt) and that this baby could just be getting ready to come early.
-I reminded him that I didn't gain much weight with Brennan and if that could have been a reason for his death but he said 'no'.
I guess I'll know a bit more after our u/s next wednesday. He said worst case scenario I would have to be induced or that I would see a specialist and have weekly ultrasounds.
So, I guess some of it was comforting and the rest still leaves me with the 'unknown'.
He thought the baby is small (I'm going to have to re-configure my guess) and he again thinks he/she will come early. Maybe I will get my 5lb baby! Eeek! (that might be a bit small) - just as long as he/she is strong and healthy - all that matters to me! I'm thinking I might have to go shopping for some premie sleepers and outfits.

Now I have a headache and should go take a nap....
Thanks for praying....

Some random pics Bri took of me last night. I love this first one. I have really goofy look on my face.

This one makes me laugh too cuz my hair is such a gong show... My messy ponytail then you can see all my 'regrowth'- wonky and sticking out all around my hair line. hehehe (click on it to enlarge it so you get the upclose & personal look....:) )

We were also noticing last night that I haven't gotten the line down my belly this time. It is still really faint from Brennan but no sign of it coming back with this one.

Update/E-mail

I just sent this e-mail out to our family & some friends. More prayers the better...

Hi everyone...

I really don't want to write this e-mail but I feel like I can't do it on my own anymore.
I'm (we're) asking for prayer.
On Tuesday I had another Dr's appt and my Dr was worried about my weight gain - or lack there of.
I haven't gained anything for the past month.
He sent me for a non-stress test and the results turned out good (sigh of relief)
Baby was active and the heartbeat was strong and normal.
He wants me to go for another ultrasound too (which is on Nov 5th in Red Deer).
It's a more in-depth u/s so we hope and pray that results come back great.
So, this has been a big stress for us lately and I feel like we can't pray for it by ourselves anymore.
I really hate to rise fear and concern in everyone (again) but we need the prayer.
It could be a minor thing but then again we all know that things can be major too.
The baby is kicking a moving lots which is helpful. Very thankful for that.

Anyways, here's the lists of prayer requests we have...
- Jen & baby's weight gain
- safe and healthy pregnancy
- health and life for baby
- our fear - that God will take it and replace it with peace
- ultrasound next Wednesday


THANKS for you prayers everyone. We'll keep you posted.
I have another Dr's appt tomorrow (he wants to see me weekly now) so I'll ask him a bit more and hopefully get some comfort from that.

Love you all!
Jen (and Brian and babe)

Baby Pool update

So, my chalkboard is getting pretty full with guesses! I think boys vs. girls is pretty will tied and most everyone guessed that the baby would be early and 6-7 lbs! Nice!
Paige- I won't scratch your name off if the day passes. I'm not sure how to gauge who wins. Should I go by date 1st, then weight then sex? What do you think?

I'm in LOVE!

Today I got my Mei-Tai carrier in the mail! I'm SOOO excited! I even had to take pictures with my 'baby' (aka: pillow) to show it off. After I ordered it my friend said that she wished she would have got the extra back support on hers so then I wished I would have got it too (so you can have bigger babies/toddlers in it). But they actually screwed up my order and 'accidentally' made mine with the back support!!
The patterns and colors of straps are all custom picked so I went through hundreds of different patterns and (finally) decided on these 2 (reversible is also an option).
This green is my fav! It is also a pocket so even more handy. (Paige- do you leave the ties long like this in the front?)

Close up. The thing sticking out by my right shoulder is a toy ring(also an option).

Back view of the front carry:

The reversible (girly) side. This 'hold' is kinda hard to do without an actual baby and hard to tie with a big belly in the way.

Anyways if I haven't mentioned it or if you haven't figured it out - I LOVE this thing! It's REALLY comfy too (altho that is without the weight of a baby). I actually still have it on :) Hehehe

50!

50 days! Sometimes that ticker goes so slowly. But those 50(ish) days are going to be gobbled up in no time!

I have lists stuck all over our fridge.

'TO-DO' LIST:
-clean truck
-paint stairwell & behind washer/dryer
-fill the freezer with suppers & baking
-finish cleaning kitchen
-clean the bathrooms
-finish Brennan's scrapbook
-finish the nursery
-Christmas prep (shopping, letter/cards, wrap presents, decorate, etc)
-try my darndest to finish my 2 courses
-pack hospital bags

'THINGS TO DO/PLACES TO GO' LIST:
-Trade show in Red Deer (Nov 6-8)
-visit friends in Calgary
-possibly make a trip to 3Hills (might save it for later to show off the wee one)
-Christmas shopping/date weekend in Edmonton (middle of November)
-36 weeks u/s (Nov 12)

'THINGS TO GET FOR BABY/NURSERY' LIST:
-lamp
-clock
-shelves & hooks
-foot stool
-rug
-night light
-newborn sleeper or "going home" outfit (1 pink/1 blue)

Pretty soon I'm going to have to schedule pee breaks into my day to get all these done! :)

Today my sister-in-law and my sweet little neice came over for a visit and they brought me a "3rd trimester! - Congrats you're done working! - Yay for baby!" gift. So thoughtful! Inside was a pregnancy magazine (love those!), SUDOKU book (for my study breaks), baby toque, tired leg gel & foot cream (ahhh...), yummy lip chap, baby aspirator bulb thingy, and a package of foaming bath milk. Such a sweet & fun care package - thanks guys!

A few weeks ago I ordered a baby carrier from Baby Hawk. I've been checking the mail for it everyday - can't wait to get it!

K, well I think I have bored you enough with my baby talk :)

Maternity Leave!

Woohoo! I am done work as of 45 minutes ago!!

Also want to say a big congratulations to the Manz family on the birth of their sweet daughter, Peyton. I know her big sister is smiling down from heaven.

32 week belly shot

I'm a little dressed up for the occasion :)

Thanks for the guesses everyone! Keep 'em coming!

Guesses!

I posted this pic on my blog and my friend P wanted to add her guess. So, this is what I thought..... give me your guess (boy/girl, date, and weight) I'll write it on the board then erase them as they get bumped off. Maybe I'll even send a little suprise something to the winner!

Happy guessing!

***thirty-two***

That means:
- 8 more Saturdays to sleep in
- 8 more big jobs I have left to do on my "to-do before baby" list
- 56 more sleeps!

I stole this pic from Babycenter It also says baby is 3.75 lbs and 16.7 inches.

I just past the # on the scale that I was in my last 2 weeks with Brennan. So, either this baby is going to be huge or I'll just have a little extra ;) But I'm only 3.5 pounds heavier then last time at 32 weeks so not too bad.

I've been meaning to do a bit of reading on labour & delivery. I want to do 'au natural' and so I think I should brush up on different relaxation tips. (Why do they call them 'relaxation' techniques anyways? That's the furthest thing from feeling relaxed!) I had morphine and fentanyl with Brennan since I didn't have to worry about the effects it would have on the baby. My Dr advised me to get an epidural cuz I was going to be dealing with enough pain as it is - I'm really glad I said no to that. The labour, as painful as it was, was a really special part for me. I want to learn how to 'control' myself during labour. Last time I remember the feeling of almost loosing control and so this time I want to work on breathing and keeping that control. Make it a spiritual thing too. I'm not anxious or scared about it so that helps. Pretty excited actually!

I really want to get some professional pregnancy pics done. I'm too cheap to hire someone tho. I do have a friend with a really good camera but I'm not sure how good of a photographer she is. I'm sure they would be a bit better then the ones I take with our cheap camera on the timer - hehehe.

I haven't taken my 32 week pic yet - tomorrow maybe.

Dr's appt update

My appt went well today. I asked him about my 'history' and if that would determine whether the baby comes early - He said that he will look at my u/s results (the one I'm going for at 36 weeks) and he will also send me for a non-stress test at 38 weeks to see how the baby is doing - then he will go from there. He then said "but I have a feeling you won't make it to 40 weeks".... I was a bit confused/concerned by that comment and asked him why, he said "oh, that's just my hunch - I'm thinking you'll go into labour around 38 weeks". I guess we'll see how good his 'hunch' really is :)

Antsy!

This past week I've all of a sudden gotten REALLY excited, antsy and impatient for this little baby! Eeeek! I don't know if it's because the nursery is now in order, I'm on my last few shifts of work, or just the fact that's it's getting closer.... I dunno, but it's something!
Today I have another Dr's appt and I want to ask him about when this baby will be born. Mostly just to ask him if my 'history' will change things. I really want to go into labour on my own but if he offered to induce me a week or two early I would take it! The *fear* is getting a bit stronger some days but I guess that is more something I need to talk to God about then my doctor.

9 more to go!

Today I'm 31 weeks. And apparently the baby thinks it's time to be head down. I was driving back from the grocery store and felt the baby roll then settle down into my pelvis. Feels so funny! Like I have to pee all the time and I don't want to sit or bend over cuz I feel like I'll crink it's neck or something.
This morning I was sitting on the couch and thinking to myself....9 weeks....wow. It's gonna be tomorrow before I know it!

A Reward

I found this awesome verse in my devotions this morning:

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him" ~ Psalm 127:3

Feel so blessed today...

30 weeks!

It's getting there!:

30.5 weeks with Brennan:

ultrasound

I just heard back from the clinic that my u/s isn't until November 12th. Awww - shucks...
It was supposed to be a 32 week u/s not a 36 week one!

Dr's appt

I had another Dr's appt yesterday. Here's the down-low:

-my infection is gone
-measuring right on for dates (30 wks)
-baby's heart rate was 131 (Brennan was always around there too, maybe it's another boy?!?!)
-booked for another ultrasound in 2 weeks (so excited to see that little face!)
-everything is 'perfecto!'
-gained 4 lbs in the last month
-now I go for appt's every 2 weeks instead of every month

Yesterday as I was sitting in the waiting room, and my Dr's wife came to chat with me. She does her husbands billing/paper work so she always stops for a little visit whenever I'm there. I was thinking after she left about how awesome they are. Such a great and caring couple. I don't think that happens very often in a city hospital... Small town Doctors are so great (or at least mine is!)