OY VAY!

So as some of you know, there's been a little Marley drama. For those of you who don't know, don't worry, all is okay for now but oh the stories to tell.

It all started back around New Year's Eve when I thought Ms. Marley was going to try to be the first baby of the New Year! I was having some shooting pain in my lower abdomen, a general achiness all across my belly, a lot of tightening and some pressure, all of which would come and go. I figured it was more than likely she was just growing and things were getting a bit tighter so she was making my tendons and ligaments expand. Well, I was right, to an extent...

After these sensations didn't go away for about 5-6 days I thought "Hmmm, maybe I should call the doc." I had an appointment scheduled for Thursday the 8th, but Brett and I decided it was probaby worth a call on Monday just to make them aware of what was going on. I explained what I was feeling and they requested to see me that day. So I went in Monday afternoon and they did an internal exam (talk about painful, I can only imagine what that's going to feel like in full blown labor). Apparently, some of those sensations I was having were definitely my ligaments and tendons stretching out but others were contractions. AND, they were contractions that were having an effect. The internal exam made us all aware that my cervix had indeed dropped to midline, which apparently is lower than where it should be at 29-30 weeks which is where I was at the time. So that was the not so good news, but the good news was I wasn't thinning out and she wasn't sitting on my cervix.

They did a test called a fFN test to determine if it was likely I would go into premature labor. If the test came back negative it gave us a window that we knew she would NOT come which was good. If it came back positive it didn't really help much except to let us know there was a possibility that she could come within that window. Imagine my shock when I found out the "window" was two weeks! So I was a little anxious for a couple of days thinking we may have a baby before mid-March and waiting for the test results to come back. Sure enough it was NEGATIVE! PHEW, so we knew she wouldn't come before 32 weeks which was good. They put me on "sit status" at work (which is not easy for those of you who know me and what I do), and gave me a few other guidelines, including if I have more than 8 contractions in an hour to call and go to the hospital. But I was, and still am, willing to do whatever is needed to make sure that Ms. Marley doesn't come out early. They told me to come back in a week.

So a week was yesterday, and let me preface by saying things are okay enough that they don't feel they need to see me back again for another 2 weeks, which is the 29th, unless something else doesn't feel right (i.e. an increase in contractions). YAY! However, I am still having occasional contractions and there were still more changes detected during my internal exam. My cervix has dropped slightly lower than where it was last week, and it seems that it's starting to thin out ever so slightly. In addition to that, the nurse midwife said that "something didn't feel right" and she wanted the doctor to check me. Not the best thing to say to an expecting Mom who had drama the week before... It turns out that Little Miss is sitting lower than she was last week and what didn't feel right was likely a body part pushing against my cervix. Whether it is her head, her hand, an elbow, knee or foot they weren't sure. So at this point during the appointment I'm a little worried that they might put me on bed rest, which I don't think I would mind so much except that I'm just not ready for that from the work perspective, but they didn't. They extended my "sit status" at work until my next appointment and they want me to take it as easy as possible, but I'm allowed to move around some.

SO...where do we go from here? Well, for those of you who don't know, I am very goal oriented. Ultimately my goal is to keep her in as long as possible. So here are my goals in order of priority:
1.) Keep Little Miss cookin' until term (38-40 weeks). This is what we all want right? It's the best case scenario...
2.) If I can't keep her in till at least 38 weeks then my goal goes in week increments. I've been doing a little research and the main thing to be concerned about is her lungs. At 37 weeks her lungs are more developed and closer to mature than at 36, at 36 her lungs are more developed than at 35, at 35 her lungs are more developed than at 34 and at 34 weeks she gets her suck/swallow reflex which is important...for feeding of course.

I don't feel that I have to worry about anything less than 34 weeks because my next appointment is on the day I turn 33 weeks (based on my first ultrasound, which we all know is the most accurate). I'm confident I can get her to term but if she has other ideas I'm more than confident I can get her to at least 34! Plus, I'm not the biggest fan of what the research says about babies born before 34 weeks. It's reassuring, sure, but not ideal of course.

So that's that. In other news, Brett and I have signed up for childbirth classes. We wanted to do the 6 week course but unfortunately it was full and they don't have another day or time available before her due date so we are going to do two 3 hour classes or the abbreviated version. Not ideal but I figure it's better than nothing.

Also, her nursery is just about complete! I'm working right now on how I want to decorate the letters for her name on the wall, but the good news is all it really needs is a good vaccuum because I had to clean up all the Christmas stuff and other things in there before Uncle Lee came for his visit last weekend. We were able to get the computer and the extra furniture out so it's definitely looking more like a room all about Marley.

Other than that, it's the usual 3rd trimester pregnancy stuff. I'm still going to PT for my SI joints which are a quite a bit out of wack, I'm waking up every couple of hours during the night to shift positions or pee, and I'm generally uncomfortable (even though my belly isn't that big). And, sometimes when I sneeze, cough or laugh really hard a little pee comes out. But lets just keep that our little secret :) All worth it to keep her in as long as possible...

So, not all of it is the best of news but I have a good feeling that it's all going to work out just fine! I'll keep you posted...

Where to begin...

So it's been a long time...I know, I know...Where to begin...

I suppose I should limit the suspense and let everyone know that I passed the 3 hour blood glucose test! Yea me!! I actually passed all three hours too so the first test must have been a fluke. Now, I'm not going crazy with sweets. I know that since it went all hokey once it can again so I'm still monitoring my sugars but not as frequently as I was when I failed the test the first time.

Some other exciting news is that we've received some of our first baby gifts! Granny and Pop sent Marley a stroller and car seat travel system, a wipe warmer and a swaddler blanket.

So, on with it...We had a fantastic Christmas! We went down to Williamsburg for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day then we had to make our way back because Brett had to work. Everyone, including Miss Marley, got fantastic gifts! Brett got a huge tapestry of the Celtic Tree of Life that we hung in the dining room, a large speaker docking station for his IPOD, a Longhorn grill cover, a new Dallas Cowboys Jersey from Sarah and Christian and Natalie gave him a "man diaper bag."

Santa also brought Brett a starter set of the Hardy Boys books :) Santa is such a good listener, he also brought me the starter set of Nancy Drew books. Brett and I had been talking about reading them to/with Marley as she gets older.

I got a gorgeous diaper bag, a cashmere robe to wear in the hospital after Marley is born, a new pair of boots, a prenatal massage and a Ansel Adams book from Sarah, and the tummy time activity mat for Marley from Christian and Natalie. Mom and Dad Maz gave us an awesome digital photo frame, that Marley is sure to take center stage once she gets here. It was such a great surprise, I've wanted one for a while!

Marley also got some great gifts! Auntie Em, Uncle John and Kaley got her some really cute clothes, Uncle Christian, Aunt Natalie and cousin Evan to be got her a really cute blue jumper with stars on it with matching blue shoes that will be perfect for 4th of July and the prenatal massage from Aunt Sarah is technically for both of us. Santa brought her a 25th anniversary Cabbage Patch doll with dark curly hair, green eyes, and a dress with a butterfly on it. This was a great gift that I was really excited about because I got one for Christmas 25 years ago when they first came out and my favorite dolls growing up were always my Cabbage Patch Dolls.

Here's the top of Marley's dresser, it's got both diaper bags, the tummy time mat, and the Cabbage Patch Doll. My mom also got us a shopping cart cover at JcPenny for 78 cents! She said it was the best steal of the century :)

Our New Year's was quiet, Brett and I don't really get into it much. We sat at home and watched movies and were in bed before midnight, but Brett had New Year's day off so we were able to hang out and spend time together then. All in all it's been a pretty relaxing break for me filled with not much more than sleeping. Back to work tomorrow...blah...

So here's an updated belly shot, we took it Christmas day so it has been a while but honestly it hasn't changed much. The doctor is still amazed at how well I'm "hiding" her. My belly is definitely bigger, cause all my regular pants I was still able to wear have been packed away but everyone is very surprised when we tell them I'm coming up on 30 weeks...Other than that I've been to the eye doctor and my eyes have gotten significantly weaker, likely from the pregnancy, and unfortunately the doctor said they probably wouldn't go back. I also have an allergist appointment on Tuesday and another OB appointment on Thursday.

More to come but I can't promise when...

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!