Weeks 27 and 28

Week 27 (May 23)

Taken after 12 hour fast, 4 blood draws;
3/4 of chicken sub INHALED

This week brought on my first 'pregnancy anxiety' dream... only took 6 months! Not too shabby. I had a dream we had another girl and we didn't discuss a name ahead of time, so Doug decided to name her himself and he chose "Hollie", in honor of our first home on Hollie Drive (???)  I was so upset and didn't like the name but figured it would grow on me.  Then we brought her home and I had her in just a short-sleeve onesie and no blanket or anything and let her lay in front of a fan in my parents kitchen on a kitchen chair while I played with Anna. My mom said "She's probably cold, Carin" and it hadn't even occurred to me that she was small and needed more care than I was giving....................  God, I hope these dreams don't continue to get weirder and worse.

In other [bummer] news, I FAILED my 1-hour glucose test. I got a call early Monday from my doctors office, which I knew was not good news and sure enough, I was right. Depending on your doctor, they all have a 'cut-off' number (either 130 or 140) to be passing, my doctor's office goes by 130. My score was a ridiculous 143. If the cut-off was 140 it wouldn't seem so bad, but at 130, it does. UGH. I am really, honestly SO MAD about this. So I have to go back this Friday for the 3-hour test, where you fast for 12+hours - get blood drawn, drink the drink (stronger this time -100mg), get blood drawn every hour for 3 hours.  Yes, I have to sit from 7:30 to 10:30 without food in a waiting room and a bunch of uncomfortable chairs and try not to lose my mind. All of it sounds amazing. I'm thrilled. I know there is a large possibility I will go on to pass the 2nd test (a lot of reading shows that sometimes women just fail the first time for no particular reason and pass the 2nd test with flying colors... and that they lower the score to "catch" anyone with even a slight possibility of a problem.)  I feel like I have been healthy, I don't overindulge. I eat my sweets in moderation. I've been active. My weight gain is in control. I really just need to believe it was a fluke and everything will be okay. I don't know.... it's a scary/daunting/annoying thought to entertain the idea of failing the 2nd test and being on close watch for the remainder of pregnancy PLUS having to completely change my diet even more so. Doug says not to go to the extreme negative yet, and I know I shouldn't but sometimes it's hard not to throw yourself a mini pity party. I have to remember it could be MUCH WORSE.

On the upside, the fruit punch variety was much more delicious!

Don't forget to place your bet!
Baby D2.0 Baby Pool

I think whoever is closest on all fronts will win some sort of prize :)


For fun (a report as of now)--
1.  How are you carrying the baby?
High:  Girl
Low: Boy

2. Baby's Heartrate
Above 140: Girl
Below 140:  Boy

3. Cravings
Sweets:  Girl
Salty:  Boy

4. Morning Sickness
Yes, lots:  Girl
None:  Boy

5. Acne/Bad Skin
Yes:  Girl
No:  Boy

6. Chinese Gender Chart (Apparently these things are like 90% right)
Mine says Boy (you take "chinese age" and month of conception)



Here's what was happening last time at 27 weeks




Week 28 (May 30)

woah, super bitch face.  Happy Friday?

HALLELUJAH I PASSED THE 3-HOUR TEST!!!!!!!
I just want to scream and yell and jump around in happiness. I had my routine check-up on Tuesday morning and thankfully the results were already in. I wasn't even close to failing that test and I sat with my doctor for a little and he explained all about how the body/pancreas/hormones/glucose etc. all play together during pregnancy and sometimes - for reasons unknown to really anyone - the body just gets out of whack and can't handle all that's going on. He said out of 100 1-hour glucose tests he prescribes, 10 women "fail", with 1 woman actually failing (the additional 3-hour test). Made me feel 100% better and now to just continue to be mindful of what I'm eating and how I'm treating my body - i.e. exercise, water intake, rest, stress.

(Also, the baby and everything else was good. Blood pressure good again, weight gain on target, baby's heartbeat at 152bpm.  Next appointment in 2 weeks. EEEEK)

Otherwise, I would say I am feeling pretty good. I am at that point where I want to recline while eating, as it feels like everything is so smushed in there that halfway through my meal I am uncomfortable. I am trying to really practice self-restraint as far as eating very slowly and trying to finish about half of the meal instead. I think eating more frequent, smaller things might help. I don't remember when this happened last time but in my head it feels "soon" (although Doug and I both feel like suddenly how did we end up 6+ months pregnant... time is FLYING. It is essentially June. ?!??!)

Been suffering from pretty regular heartburn and having at least 2 doses of tums a day, most days. It's so bad and so sudden, it's shocking! A lot of times it happens when I am reading Anna her bedtime stories and I have to stop reading because it is so painful. Didn't miss this phenomenon at all and was hoping to avoid it. No such luck!

My belly button has been hurting the last couple days... I bet that means even more stretching and weird popping out is in my near future. I am so appalled by this progression.

This week marked the first few things I have actually really done for Baby2. (Don't take it personally baby, I am just feeling much more laid back and it's not about you!) We bought the paint for the room; I cleaned every little aspect of the baby carseat and put it back together, ready for use. And I also bought the crib mattress. Small detail of not having a crib yet but I knew I loved the mattress we got for Anna and she'll be using hers for a while yet so I had to pull the trigger sooner or later!  Only like 100 more things to do but hey, we've got time right??  Heading to Ikea on Sunday and hopefully will buy crib and dresser and will feel much better about that front. PLUS, meatballs.

In "funny" news, they decided to fill my position at work from within... with a woman that I think is smart and capable but might not be the easiest to work with. I'll just say she does not give anyone the warm fuzzies, and while I don't think she'll royally screw things up, it will just be an adjustment to say the least. Clearly, that would happen with anyone and I have to remember I won't have to be the one working with her for months, and everything will be OKAY.  (say it on repeat with me...)


With Anna at 28 weeks

Next doctor checkup on June 11, I am now on the every 2 week schedule, which... WHAT, how did we get here already? I'll be getting the "dreaded" Rhogam shot again, which they hyped and hyped last time and then ended up being a bust. So, nothing to get worked up over, I'd say.

Weeks 25 and 26

Week 25 (May 9)

Me, the belly, my partner in crime
A messy bedroom, PBS on TV

New milestone this week as 2 people in Trader Joe's asked me separately when I was due, do you know what you're having, etc.  That always strikes me as a funny milestone because people feel confident and secure enough in my size to ask, which means it's not just obvious to those who know.  And funny enough, I have been feeling bigger and more cow-like this week. I think I am at this stage where I look at myself and cannot imagine what on earth I'm going to look like come August.  It's only MAY. If the baby is about 1.5 pounds right now, that's at least 5 pounds more to grow just for the baby.  I have to, have to, have to remember my motto "One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time" because otherwise who knows what my brain will do.

Found a couple maternity one-piece bathing suits from Target, I figure why not give em a shot.  Anna keeps talking about "the beach", as if she remembers it and knows it so well. I am VERY happy about this, as I love the beach and want to go as much as we can before D-Day, but this means I need to get myself a suit that I'm not ashamed of, STAT.  I need to get her another one for Miss Sandy's house too, as we just leave one there all summer for hot play days.

Current Maternity Clothes gripes:  WHO, answer me, WHO likes clothes with this awful cowl/drape neck thing going on??

This could be a cute dress for work. But look at that neckline. You know what that does? Makes your already large-marge boobs/self look bigger, rounder, floppier. It is about the farthest thing from flattering you can get.  I realize this after wearing a dress with that style neck yesterday and wanting to cry all day.

Also:  STRIPES.   (EVERYWHERE, on everything.)  Just page 1 of these dresses, look at all the stripes.

Another thing...  WHY IS IT ALL SO EXPENSIVE? Clothes you wear for about 5-6 months. I just don't get it.

Favorite Anna milestone of this week:  singing along with songs, enthusiastically. I didn't want to forget to write this one down as it is the cutest, heart-melting thing she does as of late. She has sporadically sung some things from the Little Mermaid CD (which we have in the car), but this week she put on a SHOW while watching Frozen. It was amazing. Some of the words are mumbled/Anna language, but she clearly thinks she is singing the right words and they come at the right time. Since then, if I start to sing "let it gooooo", she joins me. It's amazing and I love it and never want her cute little singing voice to stop.

HA, after bitching about maternity clothes, I spent the day with Christin and Brittney and the two of them couldn't have been more kind. Loaning me all kinds of things for work and weddings, I am just so happy.(THANK YOU!!!) I don't have to worry about the more formal stuff and can focus on some of the every day wear for the summer.

25 weeks with Anna




Week 26 (May 16)

thanks for the dress Christin ;)

Had my follow-up appointment with the doctor on the 13th, and THANK GOD everything is just fine! The placenta moved just as he had anticipated and is not even within 5cm of the cervix which is good. Not considered low-lying at all and no restrictions on life anymore. (Still planning on not overdoing it but at least I don't have to feel so paranoid). BabyD 2.0 is growing right on track and measuring about 1 pound, 13 ounces.  All measurements, fluids, etc. looked good.  Head was down, butt on my right side and feet on the left. Had the same tech as the last time and this time she said "he" so WHATEVER. I will find out in about 14 weeks.

I don't normally show these, but this was cute.
With a key for those who have a hard time decoding the pics :)

More cute Anna moments: I have been singing to her a little before bed once we turn out the light and she apparently loves it, requesting Doug to sing too if he is doing bedtime. In this tiny little voice, she says "Mommy sing? Sing Hush little baby, don't say a word?" And I try not to cry. (I literally have to think of something else right now or I could cry at the sweetness. I never want to forget how she looks and sounds when she says it to me).  She also now sings along, getting about every 3rd or 4th word. Why is her singing along to this little lullaby so damn SWEET?!

Also, obsessed with birthdays/birthday cake, as after we celebrated my Dad's birthday on 5/3 - every day she says "Poppy cake?" "We take a bite [bite motions]"  "We blow out candles [makes blowing motions]" And then will sing the song.  Thankfully that lasted a bit over a week and now she's moved on from asking for cake every couple hours.

Had a wonderful Mother's Day - we got up early, split a cupcake for breakfast (Red Velvet - my favorite. And Anna was a big fan "MMMM Tasty!!"), went out for a nice, long relaxing bike ride before heading home. We played, Anna took a good, long nap (after avoiding one for the 2 days prior) and my parents came over to just hang out and relax with us. We played bubbles outside, grilled delicious food from the butcher, watched Cinderella and generally I just felt HAPPY.  It was a super nice day and I'm a lucky, lucky mom!

us before our bike riding adventure

taking a stretching break down by the Navesink River

We have another wedding this weekend for an old college friend out on Long Island. Looking like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend so I'm looking forward to it. Christin lent me a great dress that I feel very comfortable in so that's always half the pregnancy battle!  I even decided to schedule a prenatal massage at the hotel where we're staying for Sunday morning so I get a little 'pampering' done before we hit the road. Those times are few & far between, so I should enjoy it!

Weight is up about 12ish pounds at this point. Not too bad!!

Had my glucose test this morning, and funny enough so did Cousin Katie - we were live reporting on our experiences from states away.  She got the lemon-lime flavor while I had orange again. I think it isn't too bad, just the aftertaste/waiting for an hour which really stinks. Now we both sit and pray that we pass!!! (And also day-dream about all the delicious foods we want to treat ourselves to, because this was such a hardship ;)

I could probably just use the same pic from last time!

No update at 26 weeks last time, as we were traveling in Denmark.  Sigh, the days of carefree vacations...and going on planes.... and the caribbean...and afternoon cocktails and wait, what happened? I blacked out.

Weeks 23 and 24

Week 23 (April 25)

OMG is it dress season yet???

Some updates....

The dress fit when I picked it up. Now to panic that it'll fit until the wedding day. (I hate to say I can't wait for it to be over but I don't want to stress about fitting into something else anymore)

Cravings:   Hasn't been too bad lately, actually. Definitely sweets of all kinds are amazing. Always in the mood for salt & vinegar potato chips. Really getting back into lemonade too.  OH and I am ALWAYS thirsty, like dying of thirst -need water now or else- thirsty. 
Aches/Pains:   I'm just kind of sore. I think I'm just in need of some really good stretching and am making a mental note to do this every night while watching TV before passing out at 9:30.  Using heating bean bag every night while on the couch and at bedtime. Works wonders and I want to shout my love for them from the rooftops. (You're welcome)
Skin/Hair:  Skin still "normal" - not any pimples to speak of (knock on wood) and I'm staying lotioned up, but don't feel overly dry or oily anywhere.  My hair on the other hand is definitely different. My hairstylist even noted she said it felt different, much drier. I've definitely thought that, which is nice when I stretch my hair between washings but last time with Anna my hair was like an oil slick. Blech.
Sleep:  Still sleeping well, up once a night to pee, sometimes not depending on my water intake before bed. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees helps aches & pains dramatically.  Typically out cold by 10pm.
Maternity Clothes:   I hate them. 
Movement:  Feeling lots of thumps, kicks, punches, rolling motions. It is mostly when I am sitting still (at work, on the couch or in bed) but sometimes I feel it while on the go.  Doug has gotten to feel it a couple times too, which is fun although I say this baby has a real problem with us trying to get a feel from the outside. The second you put your hand on my belly, as slight or delicate as can be - BOOM, all activity stops.  Every once and a while I am lucky and catch it. Lately I have felt a couple of what feels like hand and foot movement at the same time on opposite sides of my belly which is sort of shocking ("You're that big??") since all the movement has always seemed to be focused in one area or another. 

A fun little timeline from one of the sites I check -

Crazy to think we are already more than halfway there!

23 weeks with Anna, last time

Wedding is tomorrow and I am excited. Tried the dress on again this morning to be sure I hadn't outgrown it in the last couple days. I should be fine with a little fabric tape under the arm. Let's hope for NO RAIN and not too cold!!!



Week 24 (May 2)

FIRST DRESS OF THE SEASON!!!

The wedding has come and gone, and miraculously I fit into my dress, felt great and only toward the end of the night did I wish I could be in sweatpants instead. (After an overzealous plate-filling at dinner, things got a bit more snug...)  I received lots of compliments about my appearance which was a much-needed boost right about now. The black was certainly slimming and from certain angles I don't even know if you could tell I was pregnant!  It did rain on the ceremony, but the show went on and I think Kirsten and John had a wonderful day. All I know is that come Sunday I was exhausted and pretty much did nothing all day long. I napped, hung with Anna & Doug and did a little laundry. Later in the day we did go for a bike ride and to the park to get some fresh air, but I promptly came home to lounge some more. I can't hang like I used to!

finally sitting after a crazy day leading up to the ceremony

me and my cousin Christie

Had my monthly check-up this week and after waiting a ridiculous amount of time, I saw the doctor and everything was fine. Blood pressure was low "but consistent" (I think she said 100/50), baby's heartbeat was 144bpm, belly growth on track- "Maybe even a little big" he said, while simultaneously calling me skinny. I have my re-checkup ultrasound on May 13, the glucose test on May 16, then 2 weeks later for my routine exam, on May 27.  After that visit, we start going every 2 weeks.  Is that real????? Are we almost at the 2-week visit schedule already?? (Okay, okay, it's still 6 weeks away but feels close) 

In other pregnancy news, my bellybutton is already much larger and I can see into it. I'm not sure when this happened last time but for some reason this feels EARLY to me. I know everything happens earlier the second time around but jeez.  I am resigning myself to the fact that this year I will not be sporting a bikini on the beach or at the pool (maybe only with very select company). I am just going to be so much larger this summer than I was the last time around and I don't think I'll be comfortable with all that skin showing. So, the hunt for a one-piece maternity suit begins. Do you have any idea how hard that is? Everything is a tankini (which, for a pregnant lady spells disaster as all you'll be doing is pulling down the bottom of the 'tank' part)  Anyway, I've been searching with no luck so far. Again, per usual I have a certain suit in mind and it seems they don't make it.  Doug and I are contemplating somehow going into the affordable maternity wear clothing business, because everything I find is either: wildly overpriced or cheap, crap quality. 

Still always tired - in bed asleep by 10.  Wishing and praying everyday I could nap around 3pm.

Baby2.0 is still a stealth ninja - kicks and goes nuts one second, then the minute I gently put my hand (or Doug's) on my belly to try to get a feel - all motion stops dead. It is hilarious. Sometimes I get lucky but 9 times out of 10, nope. I can see movement from the outside too, which is always cool. Last night it was quite a show with lots of rolling, poking and bunching up on one side while I watched TV.

In other cute news, Anna will hug and kiss my belly (sometimes unprompted) and say "A brother.. or sister! Boy or girl!"  It's kind of my favorite thing.


Here I was at 24 weeks last go round