5.27.10 - almost 36 weeks

Went for my 36 week checkup today, 1 day shy of 36 weeks.  I go weekly now - oh joy!  Baby sounds good and is still head down.  Drew blood to check my platelet and anemia status.  Hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow that all is well in both areas.  And that nothing else weird has popped up.

Discussed VBAC some more - that's still the plan if I go into labor on my own before my due date.  I asked about labor augmentation.  (Induction is when they cause labor to start.   As I've said before, my docs won't do that after a prior c-section.  Augmentation is when labor starts on it's own but then, for whatever reason, needs a jolt to get going again.)  I was augmented with Travis -- I went into labor but then stalled at 4cm.  Aggressive augmentation (i.e. re-breaking my water and high doses of pitocin) didn't help at all, hence the c-section.  If augmentation is needed this time they will be very cautious and we (baby and I) will be under intense monitoring.  Although the doctor I saw today (my favorite one, again) said some docs in the practice will not give any pitocin at all after a prior c-section.  So we shall see.  When all is said and done, I just want a safe delivery and healthy baby. 

5.22.2010 - What are the chances?!

Several months ago when we first found out that Baby #2 would be Baby Brother, my mom (Meemaw) and I were in BabiesRUs looking at double strollers and bought two boy outfits while we were there.  Here is what we got... 

Today my fabulous in-laws hosted a family baby luncheon for BabyBrother.  It was great to sit around and eat and talk about babies, weddings, etc.  I opened a gift from Eric's mom (Granny) and Papa James and what did I find...

No, I'm not kidding.  Same two outfits!  Of all the baby clothes out there, we had picked out the same two outfits for Baby Brother!

And it gets better.  Eric's cousin, Candace, brought a birthday gift for Travis.  I didn't open it during lunch but I did peek in it when I got home, fully intending to wait until Travis' birthday to actually open it.  But what did I find? 

None other than the "Big Brother" t-shirt match to the "Little Brother" onesies from above.  I had been looking for this shirt ever since I bought the first Little Brother onesie back in February but had not been able to find it.

What are the chances?! 

5.21.2010 - 35w!

35 weeks down, 35 DAYS (or less) to go!   Baby and I had a checkup this morning.  Baby is great.  He's still head down and the doc estimates he'll be about a "seven-and-a-half-pounder."  We saw my favorite doctor - the one who delivered Travis.  He always makes me feel good.  He told me my belly looks great and that my weight gain and proportions are just what he likes to see.  "That's a fine looking tummy - you're doing great".  I metioned how uncomfortable I've gotten in the past few weeks.  I was expecting the "that's typical in pregnancy, second pregnancies, blah blah blah" spiel.  But he took me pretty seriously and started asking more specific questions about how/where/when the discomfort is.  Turns out it's a genuine ailment - pubic symphysis diastasis.  Simply put, the joint in the front of my pelvis has separated.  There is nothing really I can do to relieve it.  Other than move slowly and cautiously.  And go to the pool.  And try not to do things that make it hurt.  But since that includes putting on pants, I can't completely avoid all the triggers!  My blood pressure has crept up a tiny bit.  It's not high.  It's actually pretty normal, but mine is usually low.  It's nothing to worry about as long as it doesn't get really high.

5.10.2010 - the nursery!

Meemaw and Peepaw's baby gift to us was to paint the nursery and put up crown moulding.  They finished today and it's beautiful!  Thanks Meemaw and Peepaw!  Same bedding and color scheme as Travis' room, but a lighter blue for the walls.  Now I just need to wash some itty-bitty clothes, put a sheet in the crib, and do a little decorating and we'll be ready for Baby Brother! 

5.7.2010 - 33w

Another checkup.  I lost a pound since last week.  I guess it's because my stomach is running out of room and I get really uncomfortable after eating more than a few bites of food.  Heartburn, which I managed to skip completely with Travis, is pretty much a daily occurrence.  And I can never think of anything I want to eat.  Food is a touchy subject around here.  I remember losing weight towards the end with Travis, too.  But it seems like that was more around the 37-38 week mark.   The doctor and I were talking about my semi-emergency visit last week for possible early labor.  She said it's typical in second pregnancies to have more discomfort and labor-ish pains towards the end.  I laughed and said I think I've had a little more of everything with this pregnancy.  

Baby and I checked out well.  And the doc was pretty sure he's head down!   His heart rate was in the 140s and he was lumped over to one side when she was measuring my belly.  The lopsided belly effect is in full swing.  This baby seems to prefer my left side.  I think I remember Travis preferring the right side. 

I had a long talk with Travis the other night about the baby in my belly.  I was explaining how this baby would be our baby to keep, that he'd be Travis' brother, that he'd be coming to live with us, that we'd share our toys, etc.  Travis seemed to be hanging on every word I was saying.  So to see if anything was sinking in I asked him "Travis, who is in mommy's tummy?"   He thought for a second and then shouted "Miam!"  (refferring to his BFF Liam).  No sweetheart, Liam is at his house with his mommy and daddy.  Your baby brother is in my tummy.  He just giggled.  So I'm pretty sure he is still blissfully oblivious to this whole baby brother concept.