Weeks 24 -- 27

I am 27 weeks this week! Whoa, I am about to enter the third trimester-- it's flying by. Although, I must admit I'm feeling it with all the aches and pains. These past weeks have been hard and I'm told it only gets worst here on out with the back and hip pain, pressure, and the restlessness. So worth it though. I now have Restless Leg Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel. Oh boy, my legs and arms hurt, especially at night. I barely sleep-- I toss and turn all night which keeps David up, too (poor thing). Madelyn is just preparing us for when she arrives. I have been having braxton hicks this month- about five a day, which I know is normal.

My OB called David two weeks ago saying they had a meeting with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine doctor regarding me because my OB, Dr Alt, was concerned that I was at risk for blood clots since I sit all the time. So I had an appointment with Dr Greig, the MFM doctor on December 12th. They did an intensive ultrasound of Madelyn. Oh my goodness, she looks like her daddy with those big kissable lips, nose, and chin. She's so adorable. She literally fills up my belly now. Her head was very low, her butt was in my ribs, and her legs were in my side. Everything is perfect with her and she weighed 1 pound 14 ounces. Right on track.  Dr Greig didn't feel I was at risk for blood clots either. Whew, I didn't want to need blood shots. He did say to take an extra 1,000IUs of Vitamin D to protect my bones.

To be only 2 pounds, Madelyn sure does kick hard! She moves constantly too now and wakes me up at night. She's a strong little booger. I love feeling her move though, even though head banging on my pelvic bone hurts, haha. You can see my stomach jump too. David loves feeling her move. But when she's going crazy and David puts his hand on my belly she stops. No fair! :) Madelyn moves a lot when I talk to her. I think Madelyn and I will be able to communicate without any problems. I bet she will be translating for me, hehe. I was worried about teaching her language skills but I think there will be enough people around for her to put two and two together.  It's things like that that concern me but we will figure it out.

I had my normal OB appointment on Monday (12/17, which was David and mine 6th anniversary of being together <3). I had my Glucose Tolerance Test, too. It wasn't bad at all. The drink tasted like flat orange soda but it was soo sweet that I had difficult getting it down. I did though. They gave me extra time. I love that office- they're excellent with me. I hope I passed... After I drank it they did my normal stuff. I weigh 104 pounds!!!!!!!! Holy cow, I'm over 100lbs... Never  thought I'd see that. I gained 7lbs this month again. My belly measured 27-28 weeks which is great. Dr Alt gave me a prescription for antibiotics because I had bacteria in my urine. It is just for 7 days, I haven't started yet but I am tomorrow. I hate medicines! However, Dr Alt made a comment that worried me/us. She said they do not want a Christmas baby and to hold on... Umm? I think they're thinking I may go in labor early but they don't want to come out and say it. Dr Alt has done so much research on Cerebral Palsy and it's common for women with CP to have premature babies... Oh, Madelyn, PLEASE wait til AT LEAST February 17 when you're 36 weeks, Please! Goodness... Now I start having doctor visits every two weeks... Geez it's flying by. My next appointment is January 2nd and I will have another ultrasound to check her growth. AHHH, she'll be here before we know it-- just not too soon!

Here are some pictures for your amusement :) :

David and I goofin off

Belly at 27 weeks. Wow!

Comparing bellies. Think I win now!

Thank you all for praying for us. Please keep praying for a smooth and healthy rest of pregnancy and baby and that she doesn't come early (as good as it sounds, I would rather have all the pain longer than to have a sick premature baby). 

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

23 weeks

Well, hello six months!  This past week has been eventful, to say the least. Let's begin with the good ole stomach virus.  The week before last, the virus was running rampant through my sister's house. We thought it was all clear so Sunday evening Crystal stopped by to give me some outfits she'd brought for Madelyn. That night she threw up all night... Tuesday morning rolled around, I ate my usual breakfast and started to get sick, which has become the norm for me... Well, I began to throw up and pass out (scared my mom so bad). We knew it was definitely not my normal sugar problem. The virus has struck. My mom asked David to call my doctor for some nausea medicine because it's very difficult for me to throw up and all my muscles tighten up. They called me in Zofran. I took that about 3pm when I woke up. I ate shortly after and didn't throw up anymore. The virus was only a six hour bug, thankfully. I was extremely sore afterwards especially my stomach and back.  It's totally different when you have a baby in your belly-- it's torture. But I am thankful my mom and dad was home to take care of me! I was feeling 100% better Wednesday morning so some of the girls came over to spend the night. We worked on our Thanksgiving Tree. Four years ago, I found this idea online and we've been doing it since. You make a tree with branches and you make the leaves out of everyone's handprints-- inside each hand they write five things they're thankful for.

Thanksgiving was excellent except for my momma waking up that morning sick as a dog with the flu... Poor momma. And she still cooked Thanksgiving... which was absolutely delicious. Madelyn and I ate sooo much and I know I gained five pounds that day. Then David and I went to his dad and step mom's house where I ate more. I was stuffed but it was goood. Thanksgiving morning, David painted a turkey on my belly and made my goofy belly button as the pop timer-- he did awesome. My Aunt Donna thought he had glued a red life saver on my belly and she touched it. She yelled "Ahhh thats your real belly button!". Everyone busted out laughing- hilarious! Here's a picture of it:

David and I went to Walmart Thursday night in hopes of getting certain deals but at 8:10 everything was gone. It was a stupid madhouse. We bought a few things and left. I was so exhausted and ready to lay down. This pregnant girl just couldn't do black Friday, haha. However, we did go to Babies R-Us Friday to get our bassinet off layaway. Yay! It is so cool and is going to work great for me/us. It's an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper that attaches to our bed so the baby will be right there beside me.

Saturday morning, we had our "first scare". I woke up around 5:30am with bad cramps and trying to throw up--I knew something wasn't normal. My stomach was tightening up and Madelyn was balled up in the middle. Plus she hadn't been moving much since Tuesday. So David called the on call nurse from my OB office and explained my symptoms. He was told to take me to Labor and Delivery at St. Francis to be checked. They monitored me and Madelyn, checked my urine. While they were monitoring me I got sick and passed out, ughh. A doctor from my OB office came in and checked my cervix. I had never met him but he was great with me-- so were the nurses (very impressed and glad I chose St Francis as my hospital). Madelyn was great-- good heartbeat, was kicking--, my cervix was still good and closed, and they saw a few contractions on the monitor. They asked when was the last time I've been  to the bathroom and it had been four days. Dr Smith said I was just severely constipated which is making my uterus contract. Lovely. Whew, David and I were terrified. We were thankful our little girl is well and I was just full of poop... lol. I have been drinking a lot of juices and feeling a lot better. Hey, I'm not shy, it's a common problem in pregnancy.

So, it is almost baby shower time!!! I'm so excited.  My precious friend, Julie, is throwing the shower on Sunday, January 27th. I am not sure the time or place yet (she's still deciding). Whenever I find out I'll post it but Julie is sending out invitations. I think I have everyone's address that wants to come. If not, let me know ASAP. Can't wait. I am registered at Babies R-Us under Kim Wooten, Taylors, SC. :)

This week has been too eventful... I hope the rest of the pregnancy is calm, goes smoothly, pleasant, and non eventful.  Please pray for a smooth rest of pregnancy and healthy baby. I love feeling her move, even at 3am, talking to her, watching David as he feel her move or when she kicks him. :)

I was cold, my footie PJ's are warm and still fit. Don't judge me! haha

Belly at 24 weeks

My momma said I was Barney's sister... Lol 

David loves touching my belly. 

I love it too.

22 Weeks

I hate to complain but these past two weeks has been rough.  I am currently 22 weeks and feel pregnant. I think I am having problems with my sugar.  It started two weeks ago and happens only in the mornings. I get up feeling great and I eat breakfast about 30-45 minutes later. 5-20 minutes after I eat breakfast I get extremely lightheaded, dizzy, I see black spots, my heart start beating fast, and I start sweating.  It lasts about 20 minutes.  This week I started eating a half of a peanut butter sandwich when it comes on and it seem to help a little. My back has been hurting sooo bad from my growing belly. Nothing seems to help and I barely sleep. However, Madelyn is very active and I feel it clearly now. She's everywhere now and I swear she uses my cervix as a trampoline, hahaha. One night I was sitting on the couch and David had his head on my belly. David jumped because Madelyn kicked him. LOVE IT! 

I had an OB appointment today (11/15) and had another ultrasound. She has grown so much AND SO HAVE I... I now weigh 97 pounds- 7 pounds gain in four weeks... What the heck! It's funny. They did another ultrasound today because they couldn't see her spine last month and everything looked great today. She was literally kicking herself in the forehead. ADORABLE. I just love her already. I saw my preferred doctor today and she's just better with me. She said I had low blood sugar and that's why I'm getting sick in the mornings. She also recommended a belly wrap to help with my back. We definitely decided to do a c-section at 39 weeks and she wants to be the one to deliver.  She's awesome and actually cares. My belly measured at 23-24 weeks so I'm right on track. I thought I was smaller than normal but I'm not. God is amazing.

Here are some pictures:

Madelyn was a pumpkin for Halloween. David did so good!

Belly at 22 weeks!

Kicking herself in the forehead!

Thank you all for all the prayers and support.... My family has been so supportive and caring. I am blessed. Please keep praying for a smooth pregnancy and a healthy Madelyn. And Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. I can't wait for all the FOOD!!! :D
 

OB Appointment, Ultrasound, & technically Five Months

I am really slacking on my blog. Opps! I apologize...  I had my "20 week" appointment and ultrasound on Thursday (10/18).  They did a full anatomy scan on the baby. Everything is prefect. She is just adorable... And yes, she is, in fact, a girl.  My mom and dad say Madelyn looks just like me when I was a newborn. Haha. Her heart rate was 144bpm and she has grown so much since the last ultrasound.  At my next appointment on Nov 15, they are doing another ultrasound because the tech could not see her spine clearly to document no spina bifida but said she wasn't concerned due to the shape of Madelyn's cerebellum.  They just have to document the spine and said it's common to have a hard time getting the baby to turn over to see the spine.  Madelyn is still measuring small so according to the ultrasound I will be 20 weeks this Sunday.  And boy, I'm getting bigger by the minute, LoL. At my appointment, I weighed in at 90 pounds- 2 pounds gained in a month. Holy cow! I've never weighed that much, haha, Wow. But it's good that I am actually gaining. My belly officially gets in my way now. It seems bigger every morning.  There are a few days that I've felt horrible-- lightheaded, dizzy, shaky, nauseous-- I think I'm having problems with my sugar and blood pressure.  I told the doctor and all he said was do not eat sugar. Really, doctor, how?? I didn't particularly care  for this doctor, he was overly professional.  I found out that it is in my file that I am having a C-section a week before my due date so either March 10 or 12 (not sure if they count their week 5 or 7 days). So I'll be requesting Dr Alt as my primary doctor for the remainder of my pregnancy and delivery.    Things have been going smoothly and non eventful which is a blessing.  Madelyn is just a moving every day.  It's still mostly flutters, which makes me sick Lol, but I'm starting to feel bigger movements. David felt her move for the first time Saturday night and has felt it again this week. He said it feels like popcorn popping.  I had a very hilarious moment Saturday night. I was so embarrassed but I'll admit it was so funny. David and Desirae was there and said if we had it on tape that it would have won on AFV. Let's just say it involved burping, farting, and peeing all at once... Hahahaha! The Joys of Pregnancy! :)

Here are some pictures of ultrasound, my baby bump, and misc:

Belly at almost 20 weeks

The start of Madelyn's dressser

Thank you to all that have been praying for me. It isn't easy but yet it isn't overwhelmingly hard either.  It is getting difficult to move, sit up, I'm constantly hungry, thirsty, having to pee, and I cry about anything.  My mom is starting to have a hard time helping me out of bed, to the bathroom and in/out of my chair-- poor momma. My belly has off balanced me so much and my muscles aren't used to this much weight... And I crave anything salty and sweet. I LOVE salt and vinegar chips and Reese's cups. I want some now!!! Hahaha. Keep on praying for a smooth pregnancy and Madelyn. :)

Until next week...

Week 16 - 18

I know I haven't posted in three weeks-- sorry about that.  I am currently in my 19th week and still feeling great.  I can't believe I am almost halfway through my pregnancy, geez.  I am growing wider and thicker by the minute it seems.  I know I'm growing due to the awful ligament pains and the bright blue veins popping up on my stomach. It's lovely.  Here is a picture of my belly at 16 weeks:

However, one morning last week, not sure what happened overnight but my belly "popped out". So now you can see my belly poking out from my shirts, haha. I will take another belly picture next week.  I go for my 20 week OB appointment and ultrasound next Thursday.  Everyone is questioning the gender ultrasound saying it looks like a boy instead of a girl. Can't wait for next weeks ultrasound to see if it is a girl. We are holding off on pretty pink things until my next ultrasound. And I have undoubtedly been feeling it move a lot. My sister described what it exactly feels like and yep that's what I've been feeling.  David has been so awesome, too. He kisses my belly, talks to my belly, tells me how much he loves me and how happy he is to have a baby with me all the time. It's so sweet. I love him more every day.  Not sure if it's my hormones or what, hahaha... So blessed David's my husband and my baby daddy :). Well, these three weeks have been calm so not much else to say. I'd much rather have a calm pregnancy than exciting. :) Please keep praying for a smooth and healthy pregnancy and baby. Until next week...

Week 15 & Fourth month OB Check-up

What an exciting week... I am a little over 16 weeks (by my calculations, which I think is correct). I am feeling great and certainly pregnant.  My belly is growing without a doubt. And it's quite painful... So painful that we called the doctor which said it was most likely round ligament pain but had me come give an urine sample to rule out an UTI or bladder infection. It came back negative and it is just ligament pain... man. does that hurt! As long as I know it's normal I can deal with it. First time being pregnant I just worry. And CP does make ligament pain worst since my muscles/ligaments/tendons are already tight to begin with.

I had an opportunity to go to Baby Impressions for an early gender determination on Saturday (9/15). It was such an amazing experience to see the baby and find out the gender with David, my parents, my sister, my nieces and nephew, and my best friend all together. From the last ultrasound on August 23 to this one, oh my goodness, the baby had grown so much. Which is why I'm pretty sure the original calculations are right. I think the baby has caught up. Made this mommy relieved! So, the gender? Lo and behold it's a girl! Surprised? Nooo! haha. My brother in-law said that was all this family can make, GIRLS!!!!!! :) I'm pleased to introduced Miss Madelyn Skye! Love it. The technician said she was completely positive it's a girl. I was kinda questioning God why a girl because I can't fix her hair or paint her nails.... Between my Momma, David, and sister I realized that it isn't about what I cannot do, it's about what I can do, how I love her and care for her. It's about doing things in a different way. To her, it will be normal. 

I can distinctly feel Madelyn moving now. It is such such an amazing but yet odd feeling. It feels like I have butterflies in my stomach. It's crazy. Yesterday (9/20) I had my monthly OB check-up and it went excellent. I weigh 88 pounds, which is AMAZING. I know yall are laughing but when I got pregnant I weighed 79 pounds and with my kind of CP you can't gain weight. We were worried about me gaining while pregnant so 88 pounds is awesome! They were offering flu shots yesterday for their pregnant women so I got one... All for little one... The doctor picked her heartbeat on the first try and it was 150bpm. We are doing so well! I go back October 18 which is my ultrasound. I'm so blessed. Its finally starting to sink in that I'm having a baby! This kid is spoiled rotten already. :) Thank you to those who have been praying for us. We appreciate it so much. Please keep praying for a smooth and healthy pregnancy and baby!

Week 12-14

I am a little over 14 weeks today and I'm so thankful to have entered my second trimester. I have been feeling great for the most part all except for heartburn. Whew, it's terrible especially after eating ice cream, my favorite. My doctor called me in some Nexium and it's helping --if I can remember to take it every day. My heartburn is worst at night too... maybe because I like to eat cereal and ice cream before bed... Hmm.  My cravings? EVERYTHING! I eat so much. Beforehand, I ate a lot because of my CP but now, HOLY MOLY, I eat and eat and eat. I'm sure I've gained weight. We have no accurate way to weigh me since our scales get stuck around 270 (David weighs while holding me and then subtracts his weight). If anyone knows anywhere that has a bigger scale that I can sit on let me know. But everyone tells me I've gotten heavier.  I have a small baby bump, too. And my inny is quickly becoming an outty, hehe. You can't tell really when I'm sitting but when I'm standing it pokes out. My wardrobe is now limited to two pairs of maternity pants. I have plenty of maternity shirts, tshirts and a few PJ bottoms that aren't too tight but I only have two pairs of pants. AHHH! Anyone have any Small maternity pants they'd like to get rid of?! :) Overall, I feel pregnant and well. I've been having some pain in my hip and back and I pray it's from the baby growing. However, this kid needs to remove him/herself off my bladder! I've almost peed on myself several times this week and I'm constantly going to the bathroom. hahaha oh the joys! Keep on praying (pray that the baby is growing and developing like it should and pray that the pregnancy continues to go smoothly)!

First sleepers from Aunt Crystal

Baby's travel swing from Aunt Crystal

Baby bump at 14 weeks

OB Appointment and First Ultrasound

Today (8/23) I had my first real doctor visit anf my first ultrasound. They did my ultrasound first.  The tech was so good with me. She did the internal ultrasound first and BAM! there is baby!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, Me, David, and my mom (Sister decided not to go) all busted out crying. It was the most precious thing I had seen or experienced in my life. It's truly a miracle from God.  This baby is already feisty like its Mommy.  It was doing flips, jumping, kicking, and waving-- the tech had to keep pausing the screen just to get measurements. So sweet and amazing.  David called it a mexican jumping bean, haha. The baby measured a little behind than I thought I was. I thought I was 12 weeks but the baby measured 10.5 weeks.  Not sure if I ovulated late or if the baby isn't getting enough nutrition or if it's just small due to me being so petite. So now I'm not sure how to count myself... But its heartbeat was excellent at 175bpm. You could see its little heart beating. So amazing.  It measured 1.4inches in length, too.  So after the ultrasound, I saw my doctor and she examined me and went over labs and ultrasound. My bloodwork was normal and I am O positive (yay, no shots). She said she saw a small blood clot in my uterus but said she sees it in 50-75% of patients. She said it usually gets absorbed back in the body and she wasn't concerned about it. She also said I had a cyst on my ovary but it was really just supporting the pregnancy (not sure how but OK). My doctor also said for me to eat every 3 hours and more steak... NO PROBLEM! :) Overall, baby and I are well and happy. Can't wait to get my shopping on. To celebrate this little miracle of mine, David, my parents, and I are going to Golden Carroll tonight, yum!

We went official on Facebook today and I'm so overwhelmed by the amount of support, love, happiness, and prayers that is coming from our sweet news. WOW! Thank you so much. Sooo richly blessed!

Please keep praying for a smooth and healthy pregnancy and baby!