Dr Appointment and Growth Ultrasound

I had my check up on Friday (11/9) which on my calendar makes me about 32.5 weeks but the doctor says my due date is 3 days earlier so they say I'm 33 weeks.  I know it's really not that big of a deal and I'm just being detailed for my sake.  Either way it was my last monthly check up and now I go back in 2 weeks.  I finally got to meet with one of the midwives, Kathy, which was nice.  I really like the midwives.  I was weighed (gained 1lb) and then the lab came to draw blood to check my thyroid levels.  Since I've been on the thyroid medication for about 5 weeks now, they want to make sure it's working properly and my levels are normal.

32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appointment is on Friday the 9th.

Maternity clothes: Haven't bought anything.  I miss shopping and actually finding cute things too.

Stretch marks: Continue to use the oil at night and cocoa butter cream during the day

Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary.  Braxton Hicks contractions are more noticeable but they don't hurt or come regularly.  I feel like my hair, skin and nails this time around are much drier and brittle.  I've been trying to grow my nails out at least a little and they just seem to be less healthy.  Could also be the cooler weather, who knows!  I don't think I'm as emotional as I was with Joey either.  There are times I think "oh no here come the waterworks" and I'm kind of surprised when it doesn't happen.

Sleep:  About the same as last week.  Some nights I have a tough time getting comfortable.

Best moment this week: Spending a Sunday just Steve, Joey and I.  It was a nice relaxing day and all of us had fun.  

Gender: Still a mystery!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings:  Grapes and yogurt with frozen blueberries.  I wouldn't even call those cravings, although the grapes is something I don't normally really like.  I've been buying them every week at the grocery store and was slightly disappointed when they only had organic green grapes this past weekend.  I bought them anyways but they weren't as satisfying as the red or black grapes.

Movement: Baby has quiet and active days.  I actually noticed more movement last night than usual.  I remember just about every night Joey would be rocking and rolling in my stomach when I was reading in bed before turning the lights out.  This one doesn't seem to be as active at that time.

What I miss: Having more patience and ability to do more.  Joey had a rough day on Saturday which made me more impatient and frustrated with him.  He loves to be held while I'm trying to do something so he can see/help too.  But sometimes it's just too hard or I need a break and he does not like that.  He wouldn't nap without sleeping on my chest and although I love that, I needed to get some things done while he slept and needed a mental break.  So he got about a 20 minute nap (normally 1.5-2 hours) and cried in his crib for about 45 minutes.  Steve got home and I just burst into tears.  I felt better afterwards.

What I'm looking forward to: My appointment on Friday which is with one of my favorite midwives and I get to hear little one's heartbeat :)

31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks

Weight gain/loss: My scale says about 16-17lbs.  Next appointment is 11/9.

Maternity clothes: No new purchases but I'm getting really sick of the same outfits every week for work.  I am usually in yoga pants and long sleeve tops on my days off and as soon as I get home from work.

Stretch marks: Still using the oil and cocoa butter

Symptoms: The cramping/pains I was having my my lower abdomen have gotten a lot better.  Wondering if maybe I pulled something or baby shifted?  Either way I'm glad it's not as uncomfortable.  

Sleep:  Not bad, just need to get to bed a little earlier.  Story of my life!

Best moment this week: Spending time with my family for my dad's birthday.  

Gender: Wishing I knew.  Part of me just wants to find out but I've made it this far and I don't want to ruin the amazing feeling we had when Joey entered the world.  It's harder this time because no one is really "sure" of what I'm having.  Everyone said boy with Joey so I didn't even think it could be a girl, haha.

Belly button in or out: In, but looks funny

Food cravings:  Still love grapes.  And apples!  But really nothing jumps out at me.  I got a new cookbook, Weelicious, and have made crock pot chili and a chicken wild rice casserole.  Both turned out great and are super easy.  Need to try a few more recipes since she gives instructions on how to freeze them.  Would be great to have in the freezer before this little one gets here.

Movement: Here and there.  Was very quiet on Sunday but made up for it on Monday and Tuesday.  Movements are definitely noticeable but I feel like they are less strong than with Joey.  But the baby has plenty of time to grow stronger!

What I miss: Being able to bend over without a beach ball in front of me.  As much as I am nervous to have this baby, I'm looking forward to feeling more like my self.  But not ready for the new changes that follow!

What I'm looking forward to: Not too much planned right now with the holidays coming up.

30 Weeks and Dr Appt

I had my monthly check up on 10/19 (last Friday) with one of the nurse practitioners.  I wasn't a huge fan of her and definitely would have preferred a midwife.  My next appointment is in 3 weeks and with a midwife, thankfully.  

Baby's heartbeat was 140bpm and I was measuring about a week behind.  Normal for me and they aren't concerned.  I was the same with Joey and it's just the way this baby is positioned.  I asked about the pain/pressure down low and she said it was normal although she did mention the pain could be a bladder infection.  I'm hoping not and didn't push the issue so they probably won't have results from my sample until Monday.  They also won't be checking my thyroid levels again until my next appointment.  Hopefully it all checks out okay.  Overall it was an uneventful appointment which is fine with me!


How far along: 30 weeks

Weight gain/loss: I have my next appt in 3 weeks.  

Maternity clothes: Haven't purchased anything.  Joey and I went to Somerset on Saturday morning to hang out/walk around and it was kind of depressing to see all of the cute fall clothes that I can't fit into right now.

Stretch marks: Staying strong hopefully until the end!

Symptoms: Still having pain in my lower abdomen/pelvic area.  I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow and see what they say.  Other than that just feeling full and not able to eat often or much when I do.  Also peeing all.the.time!

Sleep:  It's okay, but could be better.  I wake up often to go to the bathroom and sometimes struggle to turn my mind off and go back to sleep.

Best moment this week: We took Joey to the Rochester Hills Cider Mill on Sunday.  It was his first time tasting a cider mill donut, which he really liked.  He only liked the plain ones though.  He tried a cinnamon/sugar donut and put it back in the bag to pick out a plain donut.  Sort of made me happy that he didn't want all that extra sugar!  He wasn't a fan of the cider though.

Gender: I still feel like it's a girl but would be ecstatic if it's another little boy

Belly button in or out: In, but looks funny

Food cravings:  Red or purple grapes, apples, yogurt and that's about it.  They aren't really cravings either.  Just the only foods that sound relatively good.  And soup....I've made soup every weekend and had it for lunch at work every day.  Either Chicken Noodle or Broccoli Chowder.

Movement: Baby seems to have more active moments than before.  But also is quiet too.  I still think Joey was more active than this one.  He or she is definitely getting bigger because my stomach jumps and sometimes there are little bulges sticking out.  Baby likes my left side as well.  I don't feel/see as much on my right side.

What I miss: Having more energy and being able to move around easier.  I feel bad but I get so frustrated with Joey when he is cuddling with me and jabs his elbows into my stomach.  It normally wouldn't bother me but it hurts and I get annoyed when he does it repeatedly. 

What I'm looking forward to: Halloween is next week.  Excited to take Joey out and hopefully get some good pictures of him in his golfer costume.

29 Weeks

How far along: 29 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appt is 10/19.  I did weigh myself today and scale shows a 15lb gain.

Maternity clothes: Nothing more yet.

Stretch marks: Cocoa butter during the day and oil at night.....hope it continues to work!

Symptoms: Pressure/pain down low, Braxton Hicks contractions, feeling very full all the time and I have to catch my breath sometimes when I'm talking a lot or walking and talking.

Sleep:  Not very good this week unfortunately.  Steve has been snoring at night and I just can't seem to fall back to sleep easily when I wake up.

Best moment this week: Lindsay and I are getting together with the kids on Thursday at the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum.  I hope Joey has fun and is okay in the car.

Gender: It's really hard this time because not many people have made predictions or been 'sure' it was a girl or boy.

Belly button in or out: Staying in so far but looks funny

Food cravings:  Red grapes are so good!  And oatmeal is always a good stand by.

Movement: Baby has some quiet days and some not so quiet days.  It's crazy to feel him/her moving around when I'm cuddling with Joey at night.  To think it's me and my babies just cuddling together.  I hope it happens once this little one arrives.

What I miss: Being able to breath and eat normally without feeling super full

What I'm looking forward to: Next appointment is on Friday, get to hear little one's heartbeat :)

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appointment is Oct 19th.

Maternity clothes: I got a couple long sleeve shirts and one shirt for work.  However it's not long sleeves and it's getting cold!

Stretch marks: Still using the cocoa butter and oil

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, tired and feeling slightly uncomfortable

Sleep:  Good, still waking up 2-4x a night to pee.  

Best moment this week: Steve is back home from Chicago so I have some help and we are our little family again.

Gender: Unsure, starting to wonder if it's another boy

Belly button in or out: Staying in so far

Food cravings:  Turkey sandwich from Whole Foods.  But I don't have to have it, just sounds good :)

Movement: Baby has had an active couple of days.  Might be he/she is getting bigger so I feel more or just having a more active phase.

What I miss: My energy and being able to hold Joey more comfortably

What I'm looking forward to: Zoo Boo this Saturday and hopefully the cider mill on Sunday morning.

27 Weeks and Thyroid Results

I got results back from my glucose test and they were normal, YEA!  However my thyroid results were higher than they wanted.  This happened before when I had my initial appointment in May.  I asked the nurse to have a doctor review before they put me on thyroid medication.  The doctor said it was important now that the hormones I was producing, the baby needed as well now for proper development.  So I started taking a very low dose and hope it all settles.  My first reading was 3.13 and when they retested it was 2.08 and my latest was 3.45.  They want to see it under 3 during pregnancy.  I never had issues with Joey but thyroid disease does run in my family so it doesn't necessarily surprise me.  They will want to retest in 4-6 weeks to make sure my levels are where they should be.

How far along: 27 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appt is October 19th

Maternity clothes: Some of my shirts are starting to tent at the bottom.  Need to get a few more for work to get to the end

Stretch marks: Using the cocoa butter and oil

Symptoms: Nothing really new.  My nose is doing much better.

Sleep:  Good.  I started sleeping with a pillow between my legs and it just makes me feel more balanced.  I get up to pee 2-4x but I can usually fall back to sleep.

Best moment this week: Spending quality time with Joey.  Steve is out of town for a hair color class in Chicago so it's just me and my little boy.  He's just so sweet :)

Gender: Unsure this week.  Part of me hoping for another sweet little boy.  I am starting to wish I knew!

Belly button in or out: Staying in so far

Food cravings:  Fruit.  And oatmeal which isn't surprising because I love both of these when I'm not pregnant!

Movement: Baby was actually more active this week.  Maybe because he or she is getting bigger and there is less room.

What I miss: Not getting out of breath by just doing normal every day activities.  I remember this with Joey too.

What I'm looking forward to: Eidson Thanksgiving is this Saturday at my Aunt Karen's house in Canada.  It will be nice to see everyone and visit.