So...

not the best news from the Dr.'s office today. I found out that I failed the blood glucose test that I took on Dec. 13th. So what does that mean? Well, I'm going first thing tomorrow morning to take the 3 hour glucose test and we'll see how the results from that come out. It could be an indicator that I have gestational diabetes. This wouldn't be a HUGE surprise because we have a family history however, I am surprised I didn't pass the test because I had been monitoring my sugars when I lost all that weight around 5 months and they were all within the normal range. I have my next OB appointment on Wednesday so I'm hoping that going first thing tomorrow morning they might be able to get the results to the doctor by that appointment but I'm not going to bet my monthly salary on it...

I'll keep you posted.

All's Good!

So today was the much anticipated visit to the perinatologist to make sure that we could get a good, clear picture of Ms. Marley's heart. The sonogram technician was great, we walked right back and she started right away, taking measurements and telling us all about what we were looking at from kidneys to bones. It was so much more clear than the ultrasounds in our doctor's office! We got to see her with her little fists up in front of her face and we paused to watch her yawn...twice. It was really amazing! Then, when the tech started to take pictures of her heart Ms. Marley started to be a little stink pot :) (Definitely her father's daughter) She had her arm over her chest casting a shadow in the exact place that the tech wanted to look. So after jostling her around a bit the tech gave up and said "I'm going to let Dr. Head fight with this child over her position." It really made me laugh. Anyhow, then the Dr. came in and only had to jostle her a bit to get everything that we needed. She was great, she actually sat and socialized with us after we were done taking pictures. SO...her heart looks as normal as a heart can look in utero and, even though she will have to likely have an echo done after she is born, she said it all looks good! And she's measuring at 26 weeks and 2 days which is about 5 days ahead of what the initial ultrasound said. No biggie, they aren't going to change the due date, but I asked because when they measured her head (or her brain, I can't remember which it was) she measured at 27 weeks and 3 days. Apparently right now her head is big (which all the books say is normal) but I say big head = big brains! So without further ado here are the new ultrasound pics... Oh, and just for assurance purposes, they confirmed that it is indeed a little Marley... (sorry it scanned crooked) Doesn't she have a cute little tooshie??Today was very busy day because we also got her furniture delivered!! The dresser, the combo and the crib came first and then GrandNan took us out to get the brown rocker (which because of my stellar measuring abilities fit flawlessly in her Honda Pilot, even though the guys who were putting it in didn't have faith). SO...Here are the pictures of the nursery. We still have to figure out what to do with the computer but it will be moved shortly so it can be a room ALL about Marley. We also haven't done any wall decorations yet so I will update with pictures as we get it completed.

I also took a close up of the quilt that goes with her bedset so that Emily (and everyone else) could get a better idea of the print pattern.

So that's all the latest! I have my next appointment with my OB on Wednesday so I'll post again after that, although it shouldn't really be any new information. AND, I suppose maybe I'll include another pic then of my expanding belly...if you're lucky ;)

I know, I know...

...I'm back to being the world's worst blogger. I guess that's not terrible though cause it means that there really hasn't been much to update you on. My belly is growing, slowly but surely. I had Sarah take another pic for all of you who have been dying to see it. I apologize for looking a little rough, Sarah and I have just gotten back from Williamsburg but I wanted to get this online for everyone. So, as you can see, at 24 weeks, she's starting to pop out a little more, but instead of getting a round basketball belly it seems like I'm just getting thicker. Even though it barely looks like it she is most definitely there! She is moving around all the time, and even though Brett has yet to feel it, he did just see her move the other day which was very exciting! She is being very, very stubborn, every time Brett puts his hand on my belly to try and feel her she stops moving...EVERY time.

Other than that things have been pretty normal. Like I mentioned earlier, we were down in Williamsburg for Thanksgiving. Brett was able to make it Wednesday night but had to leave early Friday morning to get back for work. My Aunt Chris and Uncle Mike were down from New York and my cousin Scott drove up from Norfolk. Here's a picture of me with my sister, my parents and my aunt and uncle. Unfortunately we took it Brett and Scott had already left.

The ladies of the house also braved the Black Friday shopping crowd at the outlets in Williamsburg. We went really nuts this year and went when they opened at midnight so we could get the extra deals. The one that made out the best was Little Ms. Marley. She's got a fantastic wardrobe already! Thanks GrandNan and Great Aunt Chris (or would it be Grand Aunt? I'm not really sure...)

I was also really busy cleaning the nursery so that it could be painted. The painting was finished almost two weeks ago. Here are some updated pics. You'll see that we still need to move the exercise equipment and get a new desk for the corner but then we'll be set.

You can also see the baby's curtains...they match her bedset that Daddy picked out even before we knew she was a girl.

Her furniture is going to be delivered on the 8th. I'm very, very excited about that. I think I'm going to feel a lot more ready when her crib is set up. So check back for that picture after next week.

Other than that I also have an upcoming doctor's appointment on the 8th and another on the 10th. I'll post more after those appointments. We hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving!

I Almost Forgot...

A very special shout out to our little niece Kaley who just celebrated her 1st Birthday yesterday! We hoped that you enjoyed your day...and all the presents Uncle Brett and Aunt Bethany sent! We love you XOXOXO

It's A...

MARLEY! Yep, that's right, for all of you who wished it to be just so, we are having a baby GIRL! It was so funny during the sonogram because Little Bit was just not being cooperative. She was breach and facing my spine so she wouldn't let us see her heart or her belly. Silly little girl. Before we knew it was a girl Brett made the comment that it was definitely his kid because Little Bit was already being so difficult. We just couldn't make her move for anything. Then when the technician started to look for the sex she just wasn't making it easy, which again, made Daddy very proud. He said that he was glad his little girl wasn't giving it up very easily.

So anyhow, the tech said she was a girl with 90% certainty and she showed Brett the three little lines on the screen that proved she was right. We're at 21 weeks so Marley is big enough to tell at this point. The tech said that she didn't want to say with 100% certainty simply because of her position. We get another sonogram in 3-4 weeks, to check out her heart and her belly, so there shouldn't be any doubt then. So...without further ado...here is the belly pic that so many of you have been asking for...

Yes, that's right folks...that's the 21 week belly shot. Don't be jealous, I was carrying extra weight before I got pregnant so Marley is just taking what she needs from what I already had. I don't want to brag, but it's my blog so I can. I'm doing really well with my weight, I haven't gained anything yet which is really excellent for my back. The OB and the Ortho are very pleased with me right now.

Here are some other pics...

This is the will be nursery. Natalie had put one up to show how messy their room was before they got their furniture. Here you'll see that I definitely have my work cut out for me in the next few weeks.

As you can see, Brett is definitely justified in saying that I have way to much crap. HOWEVER, I would like to stress that some of this is also my sister's AND a lot of it is bills that I just never got around to filing away. We definitely need a bigger file cabinet.

Here are some pics from Halloween. Yes, that's right, I'm the type of girl that dresses up my dogs, but only for Halloween AND despite the way they may look in the pictures, they really do like their costumes and jump up and down whenever I take them out of the closet.

Really, I swear, Rosie loves the costume, I guess she just felt sheepish having her picture taken in it.

My sister also drew a pumpkin on my belly and labeled it "Baby's First Costume." I got the idea from my mom who said she saw it on another blog so I aplogize in advance for copying the idea but it was cute.

I think that's all for now...if I forgot anything I apologize. We will have another appointment in a few weeks and I'll let you know for sure when that's going to be. We do have one on Dec. 10th but we will have one likely the week before that, right after Thanksgiving.

Hopefully by then I'll also be able to show you more progress in the nursery!

PS

I would just like everyone to notice...that's technically 3 posts in one day...

If it was a Cade!

Assuming the other one is a little girl, I selected a little boy the second time...very similar don't you think??

What do you think about my little new baby If it was a Cade?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

My new sweet baby - Little Bit!

HAHAHAHA Thanks, Natalie, for the link! Natalie had posted a website where you could plug in pics of you and your "partner" and determine what you kiddos will look like...Here's ours (and I'm assuming this one is a girl)...not too bad, Brett's nose and eyes although it does seem that the big ears are a dominant trait...

Is it ironic that they have her as a swimmer????

What do you think about my little new baby Little Bit?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

Better and Better

I swear, I'm becoming a better blogger by the month! This post though, won't be quite as long as some of the others. It's just a little update.

First off, I think I've been feeling Little Bit move! I've been feeling little flutters that could be light little kicks and occassionally I'll get a feeling that makes me think "Hmmm, is that gas, or is that Little Bit?" 'Cause all the books say that the early movement is often mistaken for gas pains. Anyhow, we've listened to the heartbeat again since the last post and it seems to be holding steady a little lower than previous at about 147-158.

I've also been having a bit of pain that I know isn't related to Little Bit moving. After yet another trip to the ortho I've been made aware that the severe pain that I thought was in my tailbone is actually my SI joint. It was so inflammed that the only way to begin to make it feel any better was with a cortisone shot. So, yesterday I went for that injection, even though I have had them in the past and they are not enjoyable. So far, I'm still a little sore and stiff but that's to be expected and I have noticed a difference in my overall pain level so it seems to be working. It's just that with the high maintenance kiddos in my class I can't seem to really slow down.

Otherwise, the re-distribution continues. I haven't been gaining any weight but I am definitely starting to grow a little more! I still expected to be a little bigger than I am at this point but I'm not complaining. The less I gain the less I have to loose in the end. AND, we ordered our nursery furniture. Here's a pic...

This is the crib and the low dresser, it's also the color we chose, Classic Cherry...

This is a pic of the 5-drawer dresser that we got to complete the set...


So, we are super excited about the furniture but we do have to wait 6-8 weeks so it should be arriving right before Christmas. Merry Christmas Little Bit, thanks Grandnan and Granddad! (Now the mommy-to-be just has to light a fire under her own butt to clean out the will-be nursery)

Anyhow, that's the latest, stay tuned for Nov. 6th when we find out if it's a Cade or a Marley!!

A Promise Is A Promise

Yea me!!...I'm a better blogger this month! At least so far :) I told you all I would post after my Dr's appointments yesterday, and even though I didn't do it last night, at least I'm doing it today. Doesn't that improve my track record??

The cardiologist appointment went well. When he walked into the room yesterday and said "Well the results of you Holter Monitor were very interesting, I haven't seen anything quite like it before," I was kind of on edge (although who wouldn't be, merely being 28 and in a cardiologist's office), but he explained himself quickly so I didn't have the chance to get too worried.

He said that for every time I recorded a feeling in the record chart they were able to see on the monitor what it was. Basically, my heart beats to early. So instead of my heart beating in a typical rythm (1 2 3 4) mine occassionally beats early (12 3 4). So beat 2, for instance, is so close to beat 1 that by the time I get back into a regular rythm with beat 3 there is a larger gap than would be normal. It's this gap that I feel. It feels like a skip, but technically, since my heart beat early, even though I didn't feel it, it isn't really a skip.

He also said that since my heart is contracting early it has more time to fill with blood between beats 2 and 3 so it has to work harder to expel the extra blood on beat 3 and that's why I feel the pounding. It really makes a lot of sense to me so I hope I'm explaining it well enough. He drew me a picture that I tried to duplicate and scan it in but it didn't scan right...

Anyway, he said that he's not really sure what's causing it to happen. He thinks it's likely that it's something that I've always had and my body is used to functioning with it. So why, you ask, am I feeling it now? Well, the answer is simple, I have a foreign object that has taken up residence in my body. Yes, that's right, I'm referring to Little Bit :) A blessing though he or she may be, this is a major change in my body. One, my heart has to work harder because of the excess blood supply and two, well frankly, being pregnant isn't "normal" for my body. This all makes sense because the one other time I had this feeling was when I had a significant lung infection. At the time the doctors sort of blew off what I was saying as an effect of the medication or just a side effect of being sick. Which may lead you to ask, what is it exactly that causes this to happen?

The teacher in me says "Good Question!" Unfortunately, right now we aren't sure what the answer is. There are things they know cause this to happen. 1.) A weak heart, which no one thought I had being the athlete I was and we know I don't have because I did have an echo done. 2.) A blockage, which based on my athletic background, the condition of my heart, and my age they don't think is likely however, they are going to do a stress test to make sure once the baby is born. 3.) Electrolyte imbalances and the like, which all came back, including my magnesium levels, normal. 4.) Stimulants...this is why I think they thought it was a side effect when I had the lung infection. This "condition" can be triggered by certain stimulants such as a rescue inhaler or caffeine, although I haven't used or had either since I found out I was pregnant so that's not likely the cause now.

Which brings us to number 5...Adrenaline...I have been thinking about this A LOT and I have a theory. For so many years I was a high caliber athlete, adrenaline was my middle name simply based on my training regimen. Since then, I have kept my adrenaline up with my high stress job. Based on the fact that I mainly get this feeling in the late afternoon to early evening hours when I'm sitting on my couch, I think if it is realted to adrenaline it is not an increase, which would be typical, but a decrease. Yes, that's right, it seems I may be an adrenaline junky and when if my body isn't running at that high level my heart just doesn't know what to do. It's only a theory but it makes sense in my head.


So, in a nutshell, I'm not crazy. I am definitely having these palpitations and PVC's but ultimately since they aren't impacting my "quality of life" or my daily activities there is no need to treat immediately. Doc said to come back in 6-7 months (of course earlier if things get worse) after the baby is born and we will discuss treatment in more depth then. It is something that is treated with medication and even though the medication has been approved for use in pregnant women, he just doesn't feel the need to risk it. I agree. As long as I can still function, even if I have to live with this "weird" feeling, then it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about immediately but will need to be treated in the long run.

So...that's that.

I did also go to see the nutritionist and let me keep that short and sweet for you. I really don't feel that it was a good use of my time or money. Basically, she didn't help me in the way that I needed her to, despite what I said, and I really just didn't like her. I felt she wasn't confident in what she was saying so why should I feel confident in what she was saying? It wasn't a good match and I'm doing pretty darn good with the weight so far (I haven't gained anything, I just think anything extra I had pre-pregnancy is re-distributing) and I'm almost half way through so I'm gonna give it a go on my own. The doctors all seem happy with my progress so far so I'm going to just keep on truckin...

Based on my blogging history don't expect anything for a while. Keep checking back just in case. My next appointment isn't until November 6th when we have our next OB appt. and a sonogram to, among other things, determine whether it's a boy little bit or a girl little bit. I'm 99% sure we have settled on names for both and for those of you who don't know, we will be having either a Cade Michael or a Marley Christine. Remember though, I said 99% sure...just like the pill is 99% effective...you never know what could happen!

We'll keep you posted...

I know, I know...

...I'm officially the world's worst blogger. Emily, I apologize for secretly swearing at you everytime I checked Kaley's blog and saw it wasn't updated! :) Anyhow, there is a lot to update so let's get to it.

First off I would like to say Congratulations to my brother Christian and his wife Natalie. They just found out last week that they are expecting a boy! I think the latest at the top of the name list is Reese...

So, on to Little Bit. Little Bit is doing just fine, even though Jasper jumped on me last night and probably left a little paw print birthmark on the poor baby's forhead. I had an OB appointment today and heard the heartbeat again. It's steady, at this point, in the 155-160 range so, for all of you wives tailers out there, and those hoping for just the case, that's more indicative of a baby girl than a baby boy. HOWEVER, I know Natalie had been getting heart rates in that range at one point too so who knows...

Now for more of an update on what's been happening with me. We'll start where I left off last time, going to visit the ortho. Dr. Lotfi, the wonderful doctor that he is, has said that the back surgery I had 6 years ago should have no effect on the pregnancy and/or delivery. He did also say however, that I need to gain as little weight as possible for the baby to be healthy so that the weight gain has as little impact as possible on my spine. So, since we all know how swimmers and ex-swimmers like to pack away the calories, my mom and I determined that getting a nutritional consult would probably be a good idea and how about that, the OB has one they refer too, so I'm going to the nutritionist on Tuesday the 7th. Anyhow, we've been given the go ahead for a vaginal delivery. Now, 2 weeks ago it seemed that news was music to the nurse/midwife's ears. Today however, when I saw the OB, she said that we would make the decision to c-section or not to c-section as the day gets closer. She said they'll take everything into consideration, my pain level at that point, my anxiety level etc. So no set decision on that yet...although is there ever?

Now for those of you who didn't know...Little Bit also seems to be playing a few tricks with my heart. It seems that I am having palpatations (fairly common in pregnancy) and Pre-Ventricular Contractions or for those of us without medical degrees, misfires or skips in my heartbeat. Now don't freak out, although I was a little concerned, cause I have gone to see the cardiologist and these PVC's, as they are known, could be compeltely benign. Last week he put me on a Holter Montior for 24 hours to determine how frequently they were occuring. He said if they are happening every once in a while then no big deal but if they are happening a lot we will need to discuss treatment. He wouldn't tell me at the time what that treatment might be but I'm not going to worry about it unless I have to. SO, I follow up with him Tuesday the 7th in addition to going to the nutritionist. We'll know a lot more then because he'll have the results from the monitor.

So I'm going to go on the record as saying everything is good...I know some of you might be sitting there thinking "oh yeah, right." But really, I think things could be a lot worse. We've had our moments, and there are still a few things that need to be resolved, but Little Bit is doing good and has a strong healthy heart beat so I can handle the rest. I mean really, I haven't been puking (knock on wood) so can I really be upset?

And one last thing, for those of you who have been asking, there really isn't too much to show in the way of a belly picture. No really, I'm serious, the doctor even said today that I'm "hiding" Little Bit really well. I go back in 5 weeks for my next appt. and for the sonogram to check things out...including sex. I figure there will be more showing at that point so I'll consider having Brett take a pic then.

Enough for now, I promise I will be better and update again after Tuesday!

Just a little...

Update...So the day after the ultrasound I had my first "OB" doctors appt. All went well since all the drama the previous week, the only concern is that back surgery I had 6 years ago.

For those of you who don't know (though I don't know who that would be) I broke my back 10 years ago and had it fixed 6 years ago. The result was a screw that I'd say is about 3 inches long in my L5, S1 vertebre. I also have a hook and some wire that was used to tighten the bone graf into the break in the intial surgery. The wire also served a bit of another purpose in that it would hold things together, along with the screw, if I ever sustained another similar injury. Anyway, I had a fall, probably about 4 years back that snapped the wire prematurely. It was no big deal at the time since everything was healed but now, since I'm preggers, that broken wire may have a bit more of an impact...though it may not...

So I saw the nurse/midwife in the practice since the goal is to see all the doctors who could possibly deliver. Well, she may not have been the best one to bring up the topic of a C-Section. As a midwife she is already somewhat opposed to surgical intervention although she did understand that it may be medically necessary. There were a lot of scary possibilities that she brought up but ultimately I just need to go visit the ortho surgeon again before any real decisions can be made. She did write in my file that we would probably be looking at a C-Section and if that's the case they will do it 8 days before my due date. This, for you non-math majors out there, moves us up to a March 10th birthday for Little Bit.

So...that's the latest...I have the ortho appt. on Sept. 15th. Let me just tell you how much they are loving me at my new job these days cause of all the comp hours I've been taking. :) But really, they have been great. I couldn't have asked for a better response and more support.

I'll keep you posted...

It's Confirmed...

It's confirmed...Brett and I are preggers! You would think that 4 positive pregnancy tests would have you convinced but there's something about seeing it on the screen...

Ok so after all the drama last week we had our first ultrasound today! About last week, to make a very long story short, I ended up finding a new doctor closer to home. That's a little hard because I had been a patient at the old practice for over 10 years and I really liked my doctor but this is much better in the long run and the new practice is fantastic. Anyhow, about the ultrasound...it's amazing what technology can do these days!

Little Bit had his/her first pictures taken today a few profile pics and then a couple looking down so that we could see the face and the eyes sockets. The tech said not to worry that the baby looked a little bit like alien offspring because that's the way its supposed to look so...don't worry that the one picture makes Little Bit look a little like alien offspring...that's the way it's supposed to look :)

After taking all of the measurements (which for those of you who don't know the machine automatically calculates your due date off of those measurements) we found out that I'm a little bit farther along than we thought. Today I am 11 weeks and 5 days which is about a week ahead of where we thought we were so we're looking at a due date of March 18th. So many wonderful people that we know who have that birthday and my Nana, who passed right before Brett and I got married, always thought she was more Irish than she really was because she was born on the 17th, Saint Pattie's Day (not to mention her name was Patricia).

The fact that the due date is earlier also means that our little bit will be only about 2 weeks younger than his/her Lindberg cousin as Christian and Natalie's first is due March 1st. It will be neat having a cousin on one side so close and age and on the other side of the family cousin Kaley will be an excellent role model at just about a year and a half older.

So we're gonna plug along for the next 6 or so months, I'm assured that it goes quickly but right now March seems ages away. Tomorrow is our first "OB" doctor's appt. so I'll finally get some questions asked. For instance...does the fact my mom had a 10 pound 12 ounce baby have any impact on the size of ours??? WOWZERS...