I Just Need a Nap

We began our series of fetal non-stress tests today. Every Tuesday and Friday morning from here on out I will be "relaxing" in a recliner with my belly hooked up to record Peanut's heartbeat, and holding a button that I push every time I feel Peanut move. I say "relaxing" because, even though they call it a non-stress test, it seems to cause me a little anxiety.

The purpose of this is so they can monitor Peanut and make sure the kiddo is appropriately active (according to some standardized testing parameters ... don't get me started on standardized testing ...).

Anyway, our biophysical ultrasound today shows that everything looks good (heartbeat was 145, weight and size are on target), it's just that our babe is not a morning person. Which makes sense 'cause neither of Peanut's parents are morning people, either. I told the nurse and the tech - who would both jiggle my belly or buzz my belly with a wacky contraption to try and get him/her to move around ('cause, ya know, that wouldn't be annoying to anyone) - that if we did this between 8pm and 10pm, they'd get all kinds of movement, as that is when Peanut is most awake. They seemed very reluctant to work around Peanut's schedule, and continued trying to prod my child into activity at 8:15am. Peanut, however, did not want to wake from morning nap time. And really, who could blame the kid?! At this point, I would LOVE morning nap time, and might not be very welcoming of being shoved around, either.

So begins our newest adventure. I am sincerely hoping this is not an indication of how the next few weeks are going to go because I do not need anxiety over whether or not my kid moves as much as they want him/her to based on an average. This is just the beginning of parental worrying, isn't it? Blaaahhh.

In other news ... we were blessed this past Saturday with loving family and friends at a shower for Peanut. We received lots of fabulous items for which we are so grateful. We appreciate everything everyone has done - and continues to do - for our family. Y'all are the best :)

Also, please continue to keep Stellan in your prayers. He's been in the hospital for 10 days or so now. His doctors haven't yet been able to stop the SVT and his little body is tuckered out. Check out MckMama here for updates ... though I'm warning you, she's reached a limit and is a bit un-MckMama at the moment, so don't expect anything upbeat. It's pretty raw over there right now, understandably so.

32 weeks and counting ...

PS: I thought it noteworthy to let y'all know Peanut is currently up from his/her nap and nudging like a champ. I'm sure that's because there are no monitors currently hooked up to us. Our babe has been extremely uncooperative this entire pregnancy with regards to monitoring. Yea, us :)

PRAY, Friends!!

A friend just called to ask if I'd read McMama's blog today. At that point I had not, so she explained that McMama's infant son, Stellan, is in the Children's Hospital with SVT, which is the issue he had in-utero last year, but which, through God's power in answer to the prayers of believers all over the world, he was healed of.

At least, we thought he was.

Now, out of the blue clear sky, Stellan is sick again. His heart is racing (in the 300's at times) and an ultrasound shows that it is enlarged.

Please stop for a moment and pray for Stellan. Pray for his recovery and that his heart be healed. Pray for his parents, that they find comfort and strength in Jesus. Pray for the acceptance of God's plan, which can always be trusted even if it hurts us. Pray, friends.

Visit McMama's blog here for updates.

We Only Go to 39

Another good doctor's visit today. BP is good, Peanut's heartbeat is good (154), he/she is moving around like a champ (though seems most inclined to do that when I'm trying to go to sleep!), and my blood sugar levels are good. They did tweak my fasting insulin again but I was told it is not unusual for that to happen and that, really, the doctors actually expect to tweak insulin levels, especially as we get into the 3rd trimester. So, as far as all that goes, seems we're doing just fine.

I met with Sue Ellen (where's JR?!), one of the nurse-midwives, today. After going over all of the above, we then talked about the next stage of our prenatal care, so I have a couple of new things to share with y'all.

1) Beginning in 2 weeks, I will start fetal monitoring twice a week, just to check on how Peanut's doing. My next ultrasound will be on March 31st and they'll check Peanut's growth and make sure the bugger looks good. At that time, they will also check on the fluid levels surrounding Peanut to ensure all is well in that department, too.

2) My due date has changed. Maybe not technically, but they're not going to let me go all the way to 40 weeks due to the risk factors I keep piling up (and add to them the fact that I am now officially 35 years old ... ack!). So, in essence, my due date has changed to May 19th (which, btw, is what I have said should be my real due date all along. Ahem). Anyway, if I have not gone into labor on my own, they plan to induce on or about May 19th.

Now, with this new development I realize there are a few of you who may wish to change your guess on our Expect Net game (I think I hear groaning from the vicinity of Ohio ~ hi, Scott!). It should be open for you to delete your guess and submit a new one (you may need to login to do this, but I'm not sure). If you have any problems, just email me. I'll delete your current guess and then you can go in and resubmit. There will be a prize for best overall guess...don't ask me what that will be. Beyond bragging rights, I haven't figured it out, but there will be something. Also, the game will be "closed" on May 1st, which means no new guesses will be allowed. So, all y'all out there who want to join in the fun, be sure you register your guess before May 1st. You don't have to be invited - if you're one of the many who came here through other people, or who have been praying for Jorde, Peanut and me, feel free to jump in and play - there is an ExpectNet button on the sidebar that will take you to our game, so feel welcome :)

Okay, I think that's it. As always, we'll continue to keep y'all updated. Thanks and thanks and thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes as we journey to parenthood. We can't wait to share this kiddo with you all!

Love and hugs,

Woo-hoo! We Made It to the Third Trimester!

I got to see our babe again this morning. Growth is perfect according to the tech, so yea! Not too big, not too small, but just right - let's hope Peanut stays that way :)

They had to tweak one of my insulin dosages today, but other than that, the GB seems to be under control. The nurse-midwife I saw today said that may continue to happen as I get bigger...apparently at about 28 weeks (where we are today!) the placenta really kicks into gear and that can cause the GB numbers to go up. Gotta love those pregnancy hormones.

I'll be going back in 2 weeks for a doctor's visit, then in 4 for another growth ultrasound. After that, I'll have to go in twice a week for fetal stress tests. Fun, fun, fun ... but we're in the home stretch now, so whatever it takes!

And, as promised, new pics of Peanut. I think that's Hubby's nose I see in the first pic :)

The second pic is a regular ultrasound profile, but the first is one of those funky 3D-ish ones. It was weird watching the tech "dial in" on Peanut's face. Crazy, the stuff they can do now.

I think that's about it. My cold is about gone, though my voice isn't 100% yet - still kinda comes and goes. I think Hubby's getting sick now ... though hopefully, since he's sans pregnancy hormones, he'll kick this much faster than I have been able to.

Love and hugs to y'all,