Baby Registries

I really wasn't sure if I'd be having a baby shower or not since I live so far away from all of my family and most of my friends. We decided to go ahead and register anyway just in case. 

I had NO idea how hard it was going to be! First I made a long list of everything we will need for the first 3 months, 6 months, and then year of our daughter's life. The list is very long but has just the basics, including number of diapers, outfits, bath stuff, some furniture, etc.

Once the list was done we decided on where we wanted to register. I ended up picking a place online called Baby Earth. I liked them because they have very pretty things that are all eco-friendly. He picked Babies R Us just because it's an obvious choice. 

Now, one would think that with my detailed list the actual registering would be easy...it wasn't! It took us about a week to go through and pick things out that we both agreed on. The hardest thing was not picking everything that we liked. I tried to pick things that ranged in prices and that will grow with her. 

I tried to be practical with most of my selections while he picked anything that was pink. I think it's fair to say that men have about a 10 minute attention span when it comes to shopping (unless it's for electronics) so he wasn't really much help! The registering is finally all done and I am so happy and feel like I can cross one huge item off of my never-ending list!

ETA: I checked out the registry today and more is gone!!! That means people are actually using the online registries and so we didn't waste hours of our time! I cannot tell you how exciting it is to be able to cross things off the list. 

65 days left and so much to do.....

Belly Button or Turkey Timer???

                 

Yes, this is what my belly button now looks like! I have a turkey timer.

I had no idea that people would be so infatuated with my innie turned outie! It's really quite amusing. In all honesty the fact that I have a turkey timer poking out of my belly is quite entertaining to me as well. It's a constant reminder that my belly and baby are growing and also that July is getting just a little bit closer!

My belly button pokes out of all my clothing and looks like a cute little button...of course people see this cute button as an invitation to touch and/or comment on my baby bump! As if they simply cannot stop themselves, random strangers walk right up to me and poke my timer back in!!!

We have contemplated putting a bandaid over my belly button or taping something over it, but in the end we've decided that I'll let my turkey timer stick out and be proud of it! July is almost here and this is just a loevly little reminder!

When It Rains....It POURS

I went to the doctor a few days ago because of dizziness and fainting! At random times throughout the day I get very lightheaded and then my vision blurs...

I ended up being scolded by the doctor about my weight gain...again. She said that I am not eating enough or often enough. My weight will go up by a couple of pounds but then goes back down. After she got tired of talking she flipped through my chart and realized (9 weeks LATE) that I have really low blood sugar! No wonder I've been passing out!

Basically, when I did the gestational diabetes test around 20 weeks the results came in. Usually they simply check to be sure your number isn't OVER average...mine is much lower...

This is called hypoglycemia. It's caused by low blood sugar levels and excessive insulin. It tends to be common during pregnancy. The symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, shaking, headache, confusion, and changes in vision. I have had EVERY single one if these but it took me passing out for my doctor to connect the dots...

The baby is fine and not affected by this (unless I pass out and land on my belly)....

I need to be eating 6-8 times a day. If/when I get dizzy I need to sit down and eat something right away. I have to carry a small candy bar and peanut butter crackers in my purse with me. 

I can't really drive anywhere and am supposed to limit my time out of the house it I'm alone (basically I only get to go to the doctor)....

Over time I will learn how to control my blood sugar and also will be able to tell more quickly when it's dropping.  I'm not very happy to have ANOTHER issue to deal with but am very glad that we figured out what the problem was. 

Ill have my blood sugar tested again when I go back to the doctor on Monday.

29 Week Update....

Well, today I am 29 weeks and 1 day pregnant! Ive gained 14 lbs total now.

We have about 76 more days or 11 weeks. I had the hours calculated earlier but can't remember now and am definitely not going to break out the calculator again...

At 29 weeks I am doing kick counts. This basically means that if I cant remember feeling the baby move for a while I lie down for an hour and count how many times I feel her kick or move. There should be 10 movements within the hour.

Caylee wasn't moving very well that last few days which was very scary. Actually Tuesday (May 5) and Wednesday (May 6) nights were spent at the hospital.

On Tuesday I went to the hospital because I'd had horrible (crippling) contractions for two days straight. I was monitored and since I wasn't dilating, went home. Well at my follow-up with my OB the next day they decided I needed to go right back to the hospital for an ultrasound!

After going home for just a bit we decided to be safe and go back to the hospital instead of waiting to see how I felt. We got there at 7:30 pm and did not leave until 2:30 am...we never even got the ultrasound. The tech was missing for hours and we were both way too upset, hungry, and impatient to wait! 

So, I called my OB and scheduled an in-office ultrasound which was today! 

Like I said earlier, I am 29 weeks and 1 day but the big news is that the baby is measuring a week and a half bigger! She is only technically supposed to weigh between 2.5-2.75 lbs but is 3 pounds and 10 ounces!!! She has finally moved into the head down position and is breathing! It was amazing to see her mouth opening and closing and to watch her chest rise and fall!  

I didn't get any pictures to share because she was too big for the monitor. All I could really see was one body part at a time! I will tell you this though, she looked beautiful :) I was so excited to see her and to learn that she is so healthy. I was very worried about her being small since I am still under the suggested weight . Daddy had to miss the ultrasound and was VERY unhappy about it. He had to go back to work so I reenacted the whole visit when we got home...

In other news...

The baby's brain is now able to control her breathing and body temperature.

She can cough, hiccup, and her sucking abilities have been perfected.

She is about the length of a loaf of bread.

I still cant sleep because I'm too uncomfy.

and back is beginning to hurt even more.....

Oh my back...

Dear Caylee-

I just thought I would let you know how wonderful your daddy is. Yesterday was a very rough day for you and I. I'd been having terrible contractions for two days. I could hardly move and pretty much just sat crying. Your daddy was very sad and worried. He wishes he could make me feel better...He rubbed my back and lifted me every time I needed to go to the bathroom.

Well I finally called the doctor (yesterday morning) and she said we needed to go to the hospital because I should not be having so many painful contractions. We got sent home after not too long and scheduled an appointment with the doctor (which is at 4pm today).

So...daddy knew how sad I was and also how badly my back has been hurting. You, my dear, are getting rather large and so are putting a lot of strain on my back! Well, your daddy called me and said to get dressed because we were going to pick out a new mattress!

We went to two places and your daddy's main concern was that he could not feel when I got in and out of bed to use the bathroom! According to him I wake him up every 10 minutes when I pry myself off the bed! We finally settled on a great mattress that isn't too hard (he likes soft beds) but has enough support for you and I. Your daddy thinks he is a funny guy and when you get here you will have to just ignore some of the things he says...don't ever tell him you want watermelon by the way....

Our first night sleeping on the mattress was amazing! I woke up without a sore back!!! Also, daddy had no clue how many times I'd gotten up (which by the way was only 3)!

Your mommy is a very lucky lady and so proud that your daddy is so happy and supportive. He leaves doors open (which drives me insane), doesn't always put stuff back where it belongs (also drives me insane), and snores....but he also talks to you every single day, kisses us all the time, and takes very good care of both of us. We are very lucky and you will love him very much. He is already crazy about you!

Hello 3rd Trimester!

Opinion varies on when the 3rd trimester begins. Some books say 27 weeks while others say it's 28 weeks. I was so excited at 27 weeks that we celebrated then! Well at midnight I will have made it to 28 weeks so will without a doubt be in the 3rd trimester!

We now have about 84 more days or 13 weeks until out little princess makes her grand entrance into the outside world! The things we have to look forward to are birthing class, the hospital tour, finishing the nursery, the 3D ultrasound, our maternity photo shoot, my gaining a lot more weight, and buying the rest of the baby stuff (which is a lot). We have SO much to do and our time is quickly running out. We are so excited!

At 28 weeks Caylee is about 15 and a half inches long and weighs a little over 2 and a half pounds! She reacts regularly to light (we tested this by flashing a light at my belly), she now has eyebrows and eyelashes, she has sleep cycles (REM) and some say babies at this stage have dreams! She is quickly putting on fat and will continue to do so until her birthday!

Here is what's new with me: 

Heartburn, I've never really dealt with this before but I kid you not it is AWFUL. It's every bit as bad as you hear! I can't eat anything after 9 pm without feeling awful for the rest of the night. The only thing that seems to help is if I sleep sitting up. The only way I can describe it is to say that you feel like the very top of your stomach all the way to the back of your throat is on fire. My throat waters and I feel like I could throw up at any given moment. I was told today that I can take something for it some I'm hoping that helps...

I have to run to a bathroom every 30 minutes! I'm drinking water all the time (and have been feeling a lot better as a result) and the amount I'm drinking combined with the 2+ pound baby pounding on my bladder keeps me constantly running for the bathroom! I actually ran over an old man yesterday (with a shopping cart) trying to find the bathroom in Kroger! I have no clue how it is physically possible to go as much as I do...but I've found a way!

Sleeping (not sleeping)...this is would be wonderful actually. The two issues I just mentioned basically make sleep IMPOSSIBLE! Factor in the leg cramps (totally normal), braxton hicks, and sooooomeone's snoring and you'll see why I am miserable every night. I would like to say that this will all get better but guess what...it's gonna get WORSE! 

I'm so happy to have reached another milestone and cannot wait for all the wonderful things that will happen! HELLOOOO 3rd TRIMESTER!

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.' 

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'