Baby is here!

Sorry for the delay in the post, it's been quite a whirlwind! But our baby is here!

Introducing Brenden! That's right, I had a baby boy!

Brenden came into this world on Friday September 21st. So I was 39 weeks and 6 days. I missed my due date by one day!

After spending the weekend in the hospital, we've been home for just under a week. It's been super crazy and hectic, but it's been worth every bit of lack of sleep. We are finally getting into a groove that is manageable and I am feeling more confident.

So just a quick check in with a picture just to fill my readers in.

35/35!!

I am 35 weeks and 35 days left! Holy cow!

So yesterday I went to my doctor's appointment, Ben was on "vacation" so he got to come with me. I use the term vacation loosely, since the poor man had to work during his vacation. But at least he got to enjoy one day of vacation. And by enjoy I mean run around with me while I was doing my errands.

Anyways, at my appointment my due date was changed. First is was 9/21, then 9/22 then at my 9 week u/s it was 9/25 which is what stuck. NOW the doc is saying that no, it's been 9/22 all along (based on LMP) and that the girls in the front office got it wrong. Ugh. tough trying to juggle 3 different systems of keeping track that's for sure!

So I am 35 weeks as of today! Doc says that if I were to start labor any time, that they wouldn't stop it. But every day baby keeps cooking is better. I said I wouldn't do any jumping jacks.

My BP was perfect, but I have been getting headaches with some black floaters in my vision and I've had some pitting edema, so they ran a pre-e lab panel. I didn't hear anything back, so I am hoping that I am good. Thankfully working in a fire station, the guys can take my BP when necessary AND transport me to the hospital if necessary. I feel pretty safe there.

I didn't gain any weight from my last appt, 2 weeks ago, where I gained 8 pounds in 2 weeks. So she was happy with that (that I didn't gain). However,  I am measuring at 42 weeks!! yikes!

So next week I start my weekly appt checks. I get a growth u/s to check baby's size. We are getting close!

Ben has been working on our nursery. He spent the better part of yesterday cleaning out the guest/2nd bedroom. Here is a picture of most of the gifts we've received!

Ben the comedian...

Yesterday we also managed to pick up the baby furniture. Right now it's living in boxes in our living room.

Ben is making great progress on the nursery, despite the vacation week hiccups. I am hoping to get in the room either tomorrow or Monday to start getting things set up.We bought our furniture at a local / family owned business called Baby Go Round. Very knowledgeable and super friendly staff! Made the whole process very easy for us first timers! We will most definitely be back! Our crib is the "legendary" by Baby's Dream and I hope that it looks as good in their promo picture as it will once we unbox it! We opted for their cinnamon color, but here is their promo picture in their espresso color.

Image source

I still need to finish my thank you's for my baby shower gifts. I've only made it about a third of the way through. It seems as though when I start making some progress, I get more gifts in, I don't want to miss anyone! My stepmom, Louise had an idea, as gifts come in write the thank you's then, and work my way back, since all the ones from the shower are written down. That way I'd be less likely to miss anyone. She's brilliant!

After finishing the nursery, next up is to pack my hospital bag, I've got a list started, and most items won't be able to be packed until day of, but at least I can start gathering things and the list will be ever so helpful.

Baby Class!

On Tuesday I hit 27 weeks and in most books/references that means third trimester! (in some references, 28 weeks is the beginning of the 3rd trimester).

There is no denying the fact that there is a baby in there. I am feeling movements all the time, as well as a lot of pelvic pain/pressure. As mentioned in my previous post, I am just chalking it up being pregnant. My gait has definitely changed, I've become more of a slow and deliberate mover. I try not to sit for too long as when I do move it's painful. As well as when I get up from bed, it's painful right at first.

Tonight Ben and I started our birth class, this is a four part series over the next month that will give us some information and tools to help with the birth. There are 5 other couples in the class with us, we seem to be due the latest out of all of them. Some are due in the middle of August. I don't know, when I heard that it just seemed so close. The instructor had us go around and introduce ourselves, she wanted us all to say one positive thing about this pregnancy. Most of the "students" laughed. I made eye contact with a woman next to us and her and I were just eye rolling all the time. It was quite hilarious.

Over the series we'll learn about labor and delivery and get a tour of the family center at the hospital. We also have separate classes planned on other topics which will hopefully get us started on being prepared for our little one! It's hard to believe that in 3 months we'll be having a baby! (And by we, I really mean me... let's get real about one thing, I am the one who's got to deliver this!)

Tuesday is 28 weeks for me and my dreaded glucose test. I have received a lot of feedback from my readers, thank you. It's just one of those things, and if I have gestational diabetes, well then I do. But I am going to do whatever I can to make sure that my baby and I stay happy and healthy.

Doctor's Appt Update

So I had my appt with my doctor yesterday (actually another doc in the office... we got to rotate through them all to at least meet with each one) And she measures me and says that I am "measuring big" I asked, how big. She said that I was measuring 31 weeks. I am 26 weeks and a few days.

A whole month ahead! I am/was/still is getting nervous about this.

The doctor said that she would talk to my regular doctor and that I might be scheduled for an ultrasound to check the baby's size.

I know that larger babies, is sometimes related to gestational diabetes. And my glucose test isn't for another 2 weeks. So now I am even more concerned about gestational diabetes. I am also aware that both my brother and I were large babies so that would also lead me to believe that I may be predisposed to having large babies as well.

According to their office, I am only up 7 pounds. But by my scale at home I am up 20 pounds. Which I am inclined to "believe" more since I weigh myself at the same time every few days, rather than different times of days on different scales in their office.

Also I've developed a reoccurring pain in my pelvic mound area (TMI!! sorry) and when walking it will radiate into my SI joint (butt area) Oh does it hurt! So I talked to the doc about it and she said, that it sounds typical, when the pelvis takes on more of the baby's/uterus weight and the bones start to soften in preparation for delivery.. I asked if the "joy" stage was over and she said yes, and you've most likely entered the waddling stage!

Oh goodie! I am so glad that we went to North Carolina LAST weekend... as I can't even begin to think about being in the car for more than just a few quick errands.

Weight a minute and birthday

So I stepped on the scale today, for being 25 weeks pregnant I am up 16 pounds overall. I am coming to the harsh realization that I will be over 350 pounds soon. This I admit, is very hard for me. I know that I am pregnant and that it happens, that I shouldn't get hung up on a number, but I am. My baby is happy and healthy and letting my know that he/she is in there.

I think my weight number complex is more so because I am concerned with gestational diabetes and I have my glucose testing looming. My doc says that there isn't much one can do to prevent it, but I have read that overweight/obese women are more prone to it.

Also looming over my head is my upcoming birthday, and my 30's (29 plus 1 if you as me...). As we get older it's more difficult to loose and keep off the weight. I know that I am going to have to work really hard post baby to not only loose the pregnancy weight, but also shed some of the weight previously. I am sure that breastfeeding and taking care of a newborn will greatly increase my activity level.

Although this is the heaviest I've ever been, I know there are people out there who are heavier. I feel like this is something that I have a good handle on, just occasionally have the minor freak out about.

On a more positive note, I will say that being pregnant has made my cravings for water increase, there are days that it's all I drink. Some days I prefer room temp water, other days I want it ice cold. Kind of odd, but in a good way. I am not going to fight THOSE cravings! I don't feel like I get enough in sometimes. 

The most annoying...

Th only real symptom of pregnancy that has stuck around since the beginning is my acne/breakouts. While camping this weekend my dad was like "oh, did a bug bite you on your face?" I said "No, that is my acne..."

Ugh. It's all over my forehead and I have some nasty breakouts on my face, below my lip and chin area. In addition to that I also have some areas on the front of my chest as well as my back. I am just a mess. It's hard to want to take cute bump pictures when I don't feel so cute.

But I am 23 weeks as of yesterday, only 17 more to go! Things are progressing right along. I am dreading my glucose test on July 3rd.

And I stepped on the scale yesterday and so far I am only up 10 pounds overall. Considering that I am 23 weeks along, I would say that I am doing fair.

We had our first baby class last week, it was called "Your Pregnant Body" and basically talked about how being pregnant affects every part of your body. A lot of what was discussed I had already heard or read somewhere, but since Ben came, it was nice for him to hear it as well.

Halfway hump!

I am 22 weeks today! My OB's office is still having a debate about my due date, it's fluctuating between 9/22 and 9/25. So I've been sticking to the latter of the two dates, just in case.

Technically, I was at the halfway point at 20 weeks, but I am slow at updating the blog.

I am feeling good about things, I had my monthly check-up on Monday and the doc says that everything looked good and things were progressing on target. I have my dreaded glucose test on July 3rd, but at least my cousin will be here, so she can come with me. It won't be ALL that bad then!

Most of my symptoms have resolved. As of late, as in the last week, my "allergies" have been terrible. I have never had allergies before in my life, but I guess I have pregnancy induced allergies. Well actually it was explained to me like this. You see, when you get pregnant your body increases the production of all your bodily fluids, which also would include mucus. Hence why most women complain about feeling stuffy during pregnancy. Well add just a little hint of allergen (ie pollen) to that and it can just hit you like a ton of bricks! Which is exactly what happened. It got really bad that the top of my jaw and top row of my teeth hurt/ached. I was taking Zrytec for about 5 days, but I haven't had any in the last 2 days. I am doing alright for now, but I plan on keeping my Zrytec close by, just in case of a flare up.

My other symptoms have been heartburn (only after eating acidic foods, OJ and tomato based) and swollen feet/ankles. I try to keep my feet as elevated as I can, but it doesn't always work, I do still need to function.

According to the doctor's office, I am on track for my weight, I believe that I am still down a pound according to my chart in their office. However according to my scale at home, I am up a little over 9 pounds. I am ok with this gain, but I don't want things to get out of control.

I am still getting the question, well what are you having? And people think I am weird when I say, we don't want to know, we'll find out in September. Most think I am weird. But there are some who have been "good for you". In that they know that there are few surprises in life and this is one thing that we can control, so we chose to. Others have said, well how do you plan... I said, easy, the colors yellow, green and brown are all cute on anyone!

I am very much looking the pregnant part, there is really no denying it anymore. I have been feeling the internal movements, nothing external yet, but I know that it's coming within the next month.

I am looking forward to camping this weekend as we always do for Memorial Day weekend, it's great to be around my friends and family and spend some time with them. The weather is looking fantastic, yet again (knock on wood) we have been very fortunate the last 3-4 years.

What are your Memorial Day weekend plans?

Weighing In...

So things are progressing normally. Throughout my entire pregnancy I have been very cognoscente of my weight. It is of concern to me being overweight to begin with. The day I found out I was pregnant I stepped on my scale at home and weighed in at 329. I had my monthly OB appointment on Thursday, before going in, I weighted in at 335.

I weighed in at the office at 331. I asked my doctor how much weight have I gained since starting, and she said, actually I've lost weight. According to their files, I am down 4 pounds. And according to my home scale I've gained 6 pounds.

Normally I would take this as a win, but I know that scales are different and can fluctuate. So I am going to keep on weighing in on my home scale and use that as my record. Better to be safe. I am not dieting, in fact, quite the opposite, I eat what I want, when I want and haven't deprived my body of anything. (well aside from booze!)

Other than that, baby is growing normally. We also had an ultrasound on Tuesday as well. That tech and doctor said everything looked normal. I guess my pregnancy is going "normal". And I am ok with that.

My next big hurdle to pass will be my glucose test. But I still have a few more weeks until that.

18 Weeks!

All too quickly time is flying by! As of Saturday I am 18 weeks pregnant. I've got an ultrasound and doctor's appointment this week. And I've got to be sure to let the technician know that we do NOT want to know the gender. Hopefully they don't let anything slip. I hope that everything is normal and progressing fine. I can't believe we are almost at the halfway point.

I am definitely showing now. There isn't any hiding it anymore. I've had some feelings, like flutters or fake gas as most of the blogs/websites report. It's a weird feeling for sure. I am still burping a lot. There is a lot of gas involved with pregnancy. I never imagined how much it changes the REST of your body.

We are also looking at some houses. Everything we've looked at has been a HUGE step up from the first house we looked at, the one with the holes in the walls and was basically destroyed. As we thought, some of the houses in our price range have come on the market only to quickly go under agreement. So we are trying to keep ourselves as free as we can in order to go see houses at a moment's notice.

I love our realtor, she is great to work with and really gets us and what we are looking for. But she's also not hesitant to give her opinion about a property. And she's got the experience to back it up.

One frustration has been one house that we all like and want to see, has been horrible about setting up a showing. We've tried for 3 Sundays now with no dice. So we are hoping that on Friday we'll be able to see it. We really like this property and where it's located, so we are hoping we can at least get inside and see it to see if it's for us.

The one house we saw today, I will say, was very nice. We are waiting to hear back, as there are 2 other offers in on the house, and we don't want to get into a bidding war with other potential buyers. It's easy to say not to get emotionally tied up into a house, but it's hard to actually live that. Even harder when pregnant and hormonal.

I can see myself living in that house, it's very nice and only needs a small amount of work done to make it liveable. And some additional projects to be done over the next few years. Enough to keep Ben busy, that's for sure. And the neighborhood and town is quite lovely and would be great for raising kids.

Here's to hoping we can find something! I'd like to be moved in before this baby comes. Ben and I both agreed that if we aren't closed or close to closing by late July that we'll probably wait until after the baby before trying again. It would really suck to try and move while so close to the baby coming.

Why I won't be attending FitBloggin' this year...

Although I really wanted to attend FitBloggin this year, it just isn't in the cards. The event is September 20-23rd, and my due date is the 22nd.

Although Steve really tried to convince me that there are some really great hospitals in the Baltimore area. I think Ben might kill me even if I tried to attend!

So I will miss the event again this year, which I am so bummed about, but I plan on keeping up with everyone via twitter and blog posts. Maybe we can even arrange a skype date or something!

Happy Friday!

Source

So it's time to come clean about something... a secret that I've been hiding from MOST of you. I didn't mean to deceive any of you we just had to wait and be sure... but now I can fill you in on what's been REALLY going on.....

Ack! I can't even type it I am too excited to share... it started out like this...

and then looked like this!

That's right folks! Life by Cassie just got a little more crazier!!! If you recall, when I had my banner redone (by Erin of Samantha's Day) I added the baby pacifiers in blue and pink to my thought cloud, that's because we don't plan on finding out the gender of our baby until it's born! There are so many things in life that are planned, this is one thing we can control and we don't want to know, we want it to be a surprise.

So as was the case with the wedding, my blog will probably be geared more towards baby and pregnancy updates for the near future.

I did weigh in the first day of that positive pregnancy test at 329! :-( ugh, not my shining moment, I will have to be very careful with my weight gain throughout the entire pregnancy.. I weighed in today at 327.6. My doctor says that because of morning sickness and the fact that I am already overweight that I shouldn't be terrible concerned if I lose weight in the beginning. All in all, I should gain no more than 20 pounds, and I am going to try my darnedest to keep to that.

This is partly the reason why I didn't accomplish my mileage goal to reach Steve! I am finding that I get winded very easily, and pretty much I have been walking. It's a lot easier for me to walk at the gym on a treadmill, since the bathrooms are right there. But I have enjoyed a few walks out and about in my neighborhood.

The morning sickness was manageable, especially compared to other horror stories I read online... but there are a lot of learning curves to this whole process. Thankfully my friend is pregnant with her second child and she's about 2 and a half months ahead of me! So I've been leaning on her for a lot of support.

I am due in late September, which is great, aside from the fact of being very pregnant in the summer. But I will manage. 


So there is my big news! Happy Friday and I hope you all have a great weekend! And St. Patrick's Day!