32 weeks

I don't know what happened last week, but someone hit me with the "feel crappy" stick. I had been feeling soooo good for the last part of this pregnancy, that when I started to feel crappy, I REALLY felt crappy. My back hurt,  my hips hurt, my feet hurt, my everything hurt. Plus, I was taking naps again in the middle of the day! Saturday I decided to groom Daisy. Well, stupid me, I got over heated and nearly passed out on the kitchen floor. Lena quickly brought me a chair and a cold bottle of water. But, then I was done for most of the day. I lied on the couch until 3pm! After that, I felt much better.
Sunday for Father's Day we went to Edwards Gardens. It's only about 15 minutes by bus to get there. We got lucky and had cloud cover for most of the day. It was humid, but with out the sun, it was bearable. Lovely trail walk, saw so many cute chipmunks and other woodland creatures. Then we headed up to the actual park area and saw two wedding parties getting their pictures taken. That was fun watching it all. We sat for a good 45 minutes eating fruit, just watching. Then the sun came out full on and we headed home. Jay enjoyed his 3 cards and Father's Day dance from Lena. I might have to record her doing it just to show you guys. It's really funny. I took lots of pictures at the park, only to realize that they all went into the internal memory rather than the card, that I left at home. Now I can't pull them off until I get a new cord. sigh.
Anyway, Today I am 32 weeks and 4 days according to my LMP. I saw my midwife and everything is very uneventful. I put back on the pound that I had lost, so back up to a 9.25lbs weight gain. BP 100/65 and measuring 33.5 weeks. So looking good!

Another fun event in the Dacca house is that Lena finally lost her front tooth!!! It had been wiggly for a while, but really really loose this past week. She drove us all crazy and we called her Nanny McFee, because she kept flipping it out over her lip. Well, Friday night she was too scared to pull it out so I suggested that I do it. OK she said. I reached in and POP, out it came! =) 

I Have a Dream: By Lena Dacca

I Have a Dream
By Lena Dacca
Grade 2
I have a dream that everywhere in the world it would be so clean. No people could throw garbage on the floor. The Arctic could be healthy. Polar bears, seals and Arctic foxes would stop eating the garbage on the floor. Seals and other animals could actually hunt. People would turn off the light when they're not using it. If boats would STOP going through the Arctic with their oil and stop loosing their nets, because they are getting on harp seals necks and they can not breath. When those dumb nets are around their necks. I want to have this dream come true because I want to live in a peaceful and clean land. I really care for the Arctic and people. I want them and us to live a wonderful life! I want everyone to be nice to the Earth. I don't want to die and I don't want my friends to die. I want to live to see my sister or brother, and see how I look when I grow up!
OH COME ON!
I am only 7 , it's tooooo early for me to die.
Please, please, please, please, please STOP throwing garbage on the floor.
If we don't stop, we can all die!!
So that what's important to me, what is important to you?
By Lena.

30 Week Appointment

I saw the alternate midwife today and the new student. I really like them both. I really really hope they are both on duty when the time comes.
I lost a pound, or more actually. I was so worried that they were going to get upset at me, and they laughed. So I am only up about 8.25lbs in 30 weeks. Disgusting isn't it? We talked about my diet and they said I am doing everything right, not to worry. That some women who start out heavier end up using their reserves rather than gain a lot of weight. I laughed and told them that maybe I would end up being thinner after the pregnancy!
Blood pressure was 100/65, normal for me, urine looked good, and babies heart beat was 140. He is still head down in the same position. WHEW! He jumped the other morning so hard that it woke me up and I thought, that's it, he is breech!
We also discussed my options of I go over 40 weeks, which we will go more into as the time comes.
Next is in 2 weeks and then I get to visit the vampire to check for iron levels.
Oh, and after all the panic, I am measuring 31 weeks. Back to "normal". I am higher on my right side, than my left, so they measure slightly in between.

NOT Fat, Just Pregnant

In our building we have 2 cleaning ladies from China. They work their butts off and I try to let them know that I for one appreciate their hard work and always go out of my way to say hi, how are you?
Well today on my way home from getting Lena, the younger of the two saw me. She said,
OH! You have baby? (pointing to my belly)
YEP! I do! hahahaha.
OH! I though you getting little fat! I am happy you having baby!!
NOPE! There is a baby in there!

She was very sweet and gave me a hug. =)

And earlier I got the "You should be wearing more supportive shoes" lecture from a lady in the subway. I had on some ballet flats. =\

Ultrasound today

That was SOOO freaking cool. I hate that I didn't get any pictures, but I will live.
He is still a boy. His penis didn't fall off! Yea! He IS head down! His back is along my right side, butt under my right ribs, and feet to the left. He was moving around like crazy the entire time, making the tech laugh. He had one hand up by his face and I got to see it open and close. And his little toes curl! AAWWWW!!!
They are estimating about 3lbs 5oz right now, which really means nothing to me, but I guess it's about right. She said he is growing normally.
My placenta is FAAAARRR from my cervix, so that is all over.
I can't wait to have my next appointment in a week and half to discuss everything with my midwife now. She didn't say anything about the amniotic fluid...

28 Week Appointment

Well, here we are again. 28 weeks have flown by. Crazy to think only 12 or so left until Baby Boy arrives! There are a few things left needed to get, but the key has been to do it slowly over time.
And as the weather turns freakishly hot, I remember the lovely days of winter and complaining about how cold and crappy it was. ahhh, the days where I didn't nearly pass out walking Lena home from school...
Oh, sorry about that.
Yesterday was my 28 week appointment with my Midwife. I also met the new student, who I liked very much. She is much more personable.
Last time they were worried about me gaining tooo much weight, as if 9.25lbs total could be too much, and this time they are worried because I didn't gain ONE POUND in 4 weeks. What the heck do they want from me! LOL I guess that 16lb goal might be easier done than I thought! Anyway, they were concerned now that I am not eating enough. I cut back on the carbs like they asked, cut back on ice cream, and am walking my butt off. I figure I am loosing the pounds while Baby Boy is gaining. So we are evening out. I eat. Believe me I eat. But because he is sitting so high, it squishes my stomach and I can't really fit much in there at one time. Plus, drinking 30 gallons of water a day to keep hydrated in this God Forsaken heat, fills you up a wee bit.
Well, I am measuring in at 31 weeks. I was 28weeks 4 days according to my last period due date, 29 weeks 1 day by the U/S date. So to me a 2-2 1/2 week difference really isn't THAT big of a deal. But they think it is. Tomorrow we have an appointment at the Ultrasound place. One, to see if my placenta has moved out of the way or not, and two, to check Baby Boy's size, and my amniotic fluid levels. It will be fun to see him in there again!
We talked about the VBAC and my fears, they gave me a folder that I get to take with me when I go anywhere medical.

Over all everything is good! I'll see if I can get a new picture of Baby Boy tomorrow. =) Mean while, here is me. Please ignore the allergy eyes, and the fact that Lena chopped the top of my head off... She has it in for me, I know it!

Test Results

On the 12th I had the joy of downing 50grams of the nasty Glucose orange drink for the Glucose Tolerance Test. It's a pre-screening for Gestational Diabetes. I didn't have to fast for it thankfully. Drank the nasty stuff in about 5 minutes and then sat for an hour. Got my blood drawn and they also took some more blood to see if I had developed any antibodies. I am A- and Jay is O+. I hadn't.
So I hung around for a week waiting with baited breath for the Midwives to call me with the test results. I finally gave in just now and called them. Apparently if they don't call you everything is fine. Ok, good to know. But I still have to go in Friday at 9am for my Rhogam shot.
So I passed the test, whew! BIG worry off my mind. But now I get to get up even earlier to get the bus(es) over to the hospital. I guess it's good to see the hospital now, rather than wait for my tour (when ever that is!) Or even in labor!

Same as last time!

Well, I just pulled out my journal from my pregnancy with Lena. Guess what it said at my 24 week appointment?
Saw Dr. H everything looks good. I measured "big" so in 4 weeks we will do an U/S to see what is going on.
then again at 28 weeks:
Still measuring 4 weeks ahead
30 weeks
I am scheduled for another u/s with Dr. h on the 29th (@34 weeks) Still measuring big for 30 weeks.
32 weeks
Still measuring about 3-4 weeks ahead
34 week Ultrasound
They said she was measuring 37-38 weeks in size, 5.9lbs- 6.1lbs And breech.

that is when they told me she would be about 9-10lbs at birth! She weighed 6lbs 15oz and was only 19" long.

So, in other words, this seems normal compared to my last pregnancy. I am not too concerned about it. I remember even my co-workers telling me how huge I looked from one week to the next. I am going to show this to my midwife and say SEE!!!! It's ok!

24 weeks and HUGE!

I gained 3 lbs, making it a 10lbs total for the entire pregnancy. Which I feel is great. But I feel like I was made to feel guilty about it. She only wants me to gain 2lbs a month till the end. 6-8 more lbs!  I don't think she was THAT concerned about the weight gain until she measured me. HOLY CRAP. I measured between 27-28 weeks! I am 24w4d. So now, I get to seriously watch what I eat, exercise as much as I can and hope that I don't keep measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. I said I did the same thing with Lena and she came out small. Whatever.
On the 12th I go in to test for the Rh- stuff and then she said I might as well do the glucose test then too. She said it's a preliminary, so no fasting, and one hour wait. From that they will see if I need to do the fasting one.
Also at 30 weeks she will order an u/s to check the babies size again and where my placenta is, see if it's moved. 

20 weeks

Last week, Baby Boy decided to throw a party at 4:30 am. =)
Today I had my 20 week appointment.
Nothing spectacular. First time they were late though, 25 minutes! My appointment was with the Student midwife who was a little hyper for me. But I did finally get to meet the 2nd midwife on the team. Laurie. Very nice lady.
I gained 4lbs, for a total weight gain of... 4lbs! Now hopefully it will slow down a little seeing as I have 18-20 weeks left and 16lbs to go. They aren't that picky about it. I will be happy if I keep it under 25lbs total. I will just see numbers I never thought I would see in my lifetime. At least by the medical scale. I like mine at home better. =)
Blood pressure was 106/80 ( I think...) Baby Boy wouldn't stay still and kept kicking every time she would find his heartbeat, then move. Little stinker. He is very active. I got to see the U/S techs drawing of where my placenta is, and it's directly in front, which is why 98% of the kicks are felt on the sides and down south.
I am measuring 22weeks (u/s date is 21w1d) They are still insisting on going by the LMP DD, so I am 20w4d. All normal stuff.
Next in 4 weeks unless something weird happens between now and then.

It's a Hot Dog!

Lena has been getting a little sex education along the way with this baby. She learned the proper words for girl and boy bits. Like Vagina and Penis. Well, we were talking about what the baby will be and whether or not it will have a Taco or a Hot Dog. She thought this was hilarious so we just kept it up.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a Hot Dog! It's a boy! I think I am still in shock over it. I didn't have any strong feelings one way or the other this time whether it was a boy or a girl. I was hoping for a girl, but only because that is what I know. I am a person who doesn't do change well. I like things to stay the same.
As my Midwife appointment approached, I knew that I would be getting close to the right time for the U/S. So I made sure to ask and she marked Fetal Sex on the paperwork to make sure we would find out. =)
I called the place where I had my first scan done, but they didn't have anything until the 25th. Well, I am impatient and I wanted to do it during March break so Lena and I could go shopping together. So I called another clinic and they got me in on the 15th! Yea!!
My appointment was at 2pm. I drank my water and we headed out. I knew I was in trouble pee wise the second we stepped off the bus. We had 20 minutes still and I had to GO!
We arrived at the clinic and it was packed. They over booked every single appointment. I waited as long as I could and finally told them I couldn't wait to pee any longer. They laughed and told me I don't need a full bladder, and to go!
Well, I ended up going 4 times by the time they called my name! Which was just after 3:30pm! Lena was ready to pull her eye balls out she was so anxious about getting in to see the baby.
So I lied down on the table and she squirted the U/S jelly on me. We made jokes that a blue bird pooped on my belly or something. She got the wand ready, plopped it on and asked, So what do you want, a Boy or a Girl. Then she said IT'S A BOY! With in those 2 seconds she had already seen the penis! I couldn't believe it! Lena was like HU? It's a Boy? Really? No way? Check again! Jay's face lit up. =)
The rest of the scan went really well. Heart looks good, spine looks good. It even has a brain! HAHAHA! He was moving all over the place, moving his hands up and down. And at one point opened and closed his mouth a few times! That was cool! Then he did a biiiiig stretch and flipped over and put his back to us. Little stinker.
My placenta seems to be lying right along side my cervix, so they have to watch that and make sure it moves up in the next 20 weeks.
She did once again say my Due Date IS August 9th, 2010, not the 13th. Go figure. So I am going to stick with that since it's the second time they have said so.
I am not sure of the size, I thought she said 500grams, which is about 1lbs. The heartbeat was at 144bpm.
Now, to go shopping!

Kicks!

Yesterday was a very very long day. It was predicted to be a rainy day, and it didn't disappoint. After taking Lena to school, it started dumping rain on the walk home. Got home soaking, but dried quickly. Jay and I decided to head across the street to Baguette, a little French cafe in the mall. We have been saying for a year now that we should go have breakfast there together some morning. Jay had a cup of coffee and a double chocolate danish. I had a cup of scalding hot hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll. We chatted and actually enjoyed ourselves!
Later I went to a new thrift store, the Chinese super market (smells HORRIBLE, but great deals) and then to Dollarama. Stood in the rain some more to catch the most crowded bus filled with rude teenagers heading home from school.
Made it home, then had to walk to school to get Lena, once again in a downpour.
Anyway, by that time I was exhausted. But we had a gift to buy at the mall. So we head over there, and end up checking out Sephora and putting crazy make up on Lena. =)
By the time I got home, my back was spasming out on me. I could hardly walk. Rain boots don't have much support in them.
So I lied down to rest and put my feet up.
Not 10 minutes later the baby woke up and started kicking like crazy. I put my fingers where I was feeling the kicks and sure enough I could feel them from the outside! That is a first! So I called Lena over and she put her fingers there and felt it too!!! It was so awesome!
So at exactly 18 weeks, the kicks are for sure real.

16 Week Appointment

But really it was 16 weeks and 4 days. =)
Everything is looking good. I have gained .5 of a pound so far!
At the end of my appointment my IPS test results came in and the midwife was shocked at how low my risks of having any problems with this baby are! Neural Tube Defect (like Spina Bifida) are about 1/6,300! And any other abnormalities are 1/4,000 or so. Good eggs!
My uterus is sitting just about my belly button. She asked if I had felt any movement and to be honest, I am not sure! It's one of those things where you think you have, but was it, or was it a gas bubble? Or was it just a twitch... I still think I might have been feeling something a few weeks ago, but who knows. I'll be complaining soon enough about the baby kicking me in the middle of the night.
The baby was very active while we were listening to it's heart beat. 150-160 range.
In May I get to get tested to see if I am producing any antibodies. I am A- and Jay is O+. So if there is any mixing of the blood between the baby and me, it could be bad. BUT only if the baby has + blood type. Lena does. She came out as A+! Then I would have to get a shot in the rear at 28 weeks and again after birth. No biggy. I did it last time!
Now for the exciting news. I have an appointment on Monday, March 15th at 2pm EST to find out if it's a BOY or a GIRL! We can't wait! Lena is off that entire week for March Break, so it's going to be fun grabbing some gender specific items. =)