Then and Now

A look at me pregnant with Daniel...and then Gideon. I think I'm around 36 or 37 weeks in the first picture. I'm 36 weeks in the 2nd. Fun to look back....

36 weeks

Three weeks left!!! I am so ready to not be pregnant! And very excited to see this new baby boy! My doctor checked me last week and I have not dilated or effaced so that's a good thing. I guess any contractions I've been having aren't progressing me towards an early delivery. Everything's been looking good! I have been coping with a cold for about 8 days now. It's been pretty miserable, but I'm hoping it's almost over. Things are slowly getting organized in my house (very slowly). I had a nice baby shower last weekend and will include some pictures. Insulin injections are not fun but going pretty well, all things considering. That's all for now!

32 weeks

Today, I had a doctor's appointment that thoroughly wore me out! It was supposed to be just a normal appt...see the doctor, have a non-stress test on the baby, talk about my blood sugar levels, go home. They did the NST first. Overall the baby's heart rate looked good, but my doctor said that every once in a while the test showed a slight drop in the baby's heart rate (they call it variable decels or decelerations). So, she scheduled me for an impromptu ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid levels (if they are low they can cause the heart rate to drop). Also, she looked at my blood sugar levels and decided to have me start insulin injections (I was prepared for this so that wasn't much of a shock). Anyway, I went over to another part of the hospital to have my ultrasound. That whole part of it, including waiting, took about an hour. Then I went back over to the women's clinic to talk to my doctor about the ultrasound and the insulin injections. I had to wait about 30 minutes before I got to see my doctor again since she was on lunch (which I had yet to eat and was very hungry!). We talked about the ultrasound which showed my fluid levels at 8.9, whatever that means. I asked her what she would like them to be and she said above 10 at least. So, the fluid levels were a bit lower than she would have liked. Basically, she said we would just have to continue to monitor the fluids each week and if they continue to be too low, then I may have to have the baby even earlier than planned (right now, I'm already scheduled to have a c-section a week before my due date - Nov. 6th). I asked her what I could do to help my fluid levels, and she said not much. Basically, just drink lots of water and try to keep from getting too hot or dehydrated. As far as the insulin injections, I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the diabetes educator to learn how to give them to myself. Fun, fun.

After my 3-hour doctor's visit, I went to my mom's to pick up Daniel. First I did a little research online to see what else I could find out about low fluid levels in pregnancy. In short, what I found out was that having lower fluid levels in the 3rd trimester is not as serious as having it in the 1st or 2nd trimesters where it could cause birth defects. If the levels fall under 5 cm (mine was 8.9) then it's also more serious and I would definitely have to have an early c-section. Possible causes: rupture or tear in the membrame; pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia or diabetes (that's me, although my doctor said she usually sees diabetes pregnancies with fluid levels that are too high rather than too low, so I'm not sure why the inconsistancy in what she said and what the online research said); possible kidney problems with the baby (he can't create the fluids properly which is mostly fetal urine). I'm hoping it somehow has to do with my diabetes. The other reasons sound much more serious. Anyway, I'm thankful my doctor will be on top of this with the weekly NSTs and another ultrasound scheduled for next Monday. I'm trying not to worry about this too much, although I am concerned for my baby's safety and health. I feel him moving all the time so I think, surely he's fine. But it's hard not to worry...need lots of prayer concerning this matter. If I do have to have him even earlier, I'm concerned about his lungs being fully developed, among other things.

Tomorrow morning I learn how to give myself insulin injections. That will be a bit of an adjustment mentally, but I know I can do it. I picked everything up at the pharmacy on my way home this afternoon, and it cost $90, something I was not prepared for! I'm glad I will only have to do these injections for 7 weeks (maybe even less), but I am concerned with the possibility of getting type 2 diabetes after my pregnancy. I really am going to have to completely change my diet: less carbs, more protein. I hate protein and love carbs so that is going to be a huge deal for me! It's been hard enough dealing with this during my pregnancy. I just can't imagine dealing with this disease for the rest of my life. God give me grace and peace!!

Went to the pre-sale of Rhea Lana's consignment sale tonight with the goal of getting two of the big items I need for the new baby - a swing (not just any swing - I'm looking for a particular type) and a co-sleeper (mini-crib that attaches to my bed). Note: this is not the sale that just everyone can come to. You have to have a special reason for getting in on the pre-sale. With that in mind, by the time I got there tonight, all the nice swings (there were at least 20) were sold!! And they didn't have the type of co-sleeper I wanted. So, no luck on the big items. But, I did get quite a few clothes for Daniel for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. And got him some books, a cool alphabet train floor puzzle, a bowling ball/pin set, and a big lego set that you can build bridges for cars with. My mom went with me, thank goodness!!! I couldn't have done it by myself, that's for sure. There were tons of moms (and a few brave husbands) there. I saw 15 people I knew....We stood in line to check out for about 45 minutes.

Just a little disappointed I couldn't get anything for baby Gideon.

29 weeks

I am now going to the doctor weekly. Normally, this wouldn't happen until I was 35 weeks along, but my doctor wants to do weekly NSTs (non-stress tests) on the baby. I had a 2nd ultrasound at my last appointment to check the size of the baby, and he is measuring 2 weeks early! I guess that is ok though, since my doctor said I would be delivering a week early anyway. So, I'll probably have little Gideon either November 6th or 7th...Oh, and I haven't had to start insulin injections yet...

10 weeks to go!

28 weeks

I am so ready for the fall weather to be here!! Sick of being hot all the time! I had my doctor's appointment the other day. Got my Rogham shot since my blood type is Rh negative. Also, got my blood drawn to check for anemia and some other things. Found out that my c-section will be scheduled for a week before my due date, so that I won't go into labor. That puts me delivering on November 6th or 7th. I'm so glad it will be early! I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore!!! Also, I have one more week or so to get my blood sugars under control. I need to exercise 2x's a day (hah) and watch what I eat. I am already taking glyberide a couple times a day to help keep my sugars down, but as my pregnancy progresses, my diabetes is getting worse. So insulin injections might be in my very near future...I'm really quite sick of the whole situation. Need to change my attitude. :)

I've been experiencing RLS (restless leg syndrome) which, I didn't realize until today, is related to my pregnancy. It's not really bad, but still pretty annoying! Also, I'm continuing to have those "bladder spasms" every once in a while. I thought they were bladder infections, but supposedly they are not. Not sure what's happening, but it's VERY annoying!

Daniel is not sure what it means that he's going to have a baby brother. We try to explain it to him, but he still doesn't quite get it. :) He knows that there's a baby somewhere under my shirt... :) Eleven more weeks to go before he "gets" it. I'm starting to feel like it's time to get the house ready for a new baby. I need to re-organize rooms and try to figure out how to fit everything in them! Also, need to get a few big items: dresser, twin-size bed for Daniel, bassinet, double stroller, etc. The garage also really needs to be cleaned out and organized, but that's really beside the point.

Finally, I think we've decided on a name for the baby: Gideon Richard Bruce. We chose Gideon because we both like it (a miracle in and of itself) plus we like the meaning of the name and the story of Gideon in the Bible. Gideon means "mighty warrior" and in the Bible he was called by God as a "mighty man of valor." This is meaningful to me because I pray that this son of ours will be a courageous man for God, especially in this day and age. Of course, Richard is my dad's name and Bruce is Phillip's dad's name. So, this baby will get to be named after both grandpas!! I think that will be special for him. I can't wait to meet this special little boy!

News!

Had my ultrasound today....found out that we're having another BOY! I'm kinda still in shock - I thought for sure I'd have a girl this time. But I'm excited to see my new baby boy and I love him already!! Of course, Phillip is very excited too. And I won't have to change the nursery, so getting prepared will actually be a lot easier which is nice. And Daniel will have a playmate. I am a little nervous about having TWO rambunctious boys, but God knows best! He'll have to give me the energy to deal with them, that's for sure! :)