32 week update

Well... Had a little hiccup in the smooth sailing this week. I've had a tiny bit of bleeding, and while we originally thought it was nothing, turns out its a little something that needs closer monitoring.

Today we had an ultrasound and non stress test, and everything looks ok. Baby is moving and growing. I've got a small subchorionic bleed on the placenta, so I have to have weekly NSTs and follow up to make sure it's resolving and baby is gaining weight. Good news is that for now I get to stop taking my daily lovenox shot, which is to prevent clotting. No more shots for 2 weeks at least! 

It was kind of fun to see her little face today. Once again she had a foot by her face, which she has had almost every ultrasound. They estimated her weight at 4 pounds 1 ounce. I'm just feeling frustrated because I'm already anxious enough, I don't need anything extra to worry about. Hopefully after a few more weeks of doctor appointments we'll see the bleeding resolve and all will be well.

And in other news we had a great camping trip this weekend with our good friends from Seattle and Leavenworth. Josie had a grand time, and it was so good to spend time with Julie and Alia. 

This is my favorite maternity shirt. I wear it practically every day :)

And, just for fun... The sisters and their bellies. Maria on the left at 39 weeks, me on the right at 32. Can't wait to meet her little mystery bug!

Happy birthday, Gemma

A year ago, our daughter Gemma Grace died, and was born. 

Happy birthday, baby girl. We are so glad you were ours, and we miss you so much.
Eric and I spent some time looking at her box of clothes, pictures and cards. Then we joined all the family down at the riverfront for a little remembrance celebration. I really just wanted everything to look beautiful, and I think it did. 

 

 

 

Baby space

We are working on setting up a nook in our room that we'll call the "baby space". It's not a bedroom, and it won't be permanent, but she'll probably be in it around a year or until she's sleeping we'll enough to share with Josie or Jo decides she's ready to move downstairs. It's almost ready... I just need to get clothes ad diapers washed and put away now.

It's all crazy colors, clouds and cuteness. I'm even choosing some pinks and purples this time, and it does look pretty girly. 

The dresser turned out pretty well, it was a garage sale find that I worked hard to paint and finish. It has a vintage look with some really cool new knobs. Josie has a matching one in her room too.

And I'm in LOVE with the blue shelf which is the one truly  new item. 

As you can see, our whirling dervish was a big help in assembling the crib.

In progress...

Just about done!

31 weeks

Pregnancy stats (I'm totally stealing this format from another pregnant friend because I love her updates):

Symptoms: my sciatica is back on the right. I had a few better weeks and now I'm limping around again and really have to watch the lifting and ending because its quite painful.

My blood pressure is creeping up, so I am on weekly checks for that. With the blood pressure comes some lovely swelling, especially in the heat.

Speaking of heat, I'm hot all the time. Second hot summer in a row being pregnant... This year I'm not as worried about the AC bill and if its hot, I'm turning it on.

Weight gain: 23 pounds so far.

Cravings: iced tea, Arnold Palmer, iced coffee!! I'm hungry a lot, but seem to be experiencing am effect similar to that of a  Gastric bypass patient; there's no space for food, so I'm instantly full, then quickly hungry again. Annoying.

Movement: Hiccups, all the time. More rolling, fewer jabs. It must be getting tight in there.

Emotions: feeling intermittently more joyous and nesting a lot, also feeling anxiety and impatience. I really want the baby stuff ready!! I have washed a couple loads of clothes/diapers/blankets etc, but I only have one small dresser to put it in. I need to get some containers and shelves, put up a crib, etc. I want to look at it, have it motivate me and bolster me through the last weeks. I need a positive focus point. I want to visualize a happy ending! The pic below shows where we are with the baby space... 

Gemma's birthday coming up has me feeling a lot of renewed grief, and that is hard to balance. We are working on some prayer flags and ideas for a little birthday remembrance celebration. It's really nice to spend time working on something for her.