Pregnancy: 29 Weeks & 3D Ultrasound Pictures

We are one week away from the big 3-0 (weeks that is)! I can't believe it's down to 11 weeks. 76 days on my countdown ticker. So crazy. July has flown by. Heck, the entire summer has flown by (now that it's almost over. If you'd asked me mid-June I definitely wouldn't have said that).

Today started off super early with a doctors appointment and our 3/4D ultra sound. We weren't going to do the US since it isn't covered by insurance and is an out of pocket cost, but after seeing the one 3D image we got last time I knew I needed more. More pictures of those squishy cheeks. It should be our last US of the pregnancy, so we tried to soak it in. We got there at 7:30, which is way early for me. Hannah slept through the whole thing because we are not early birds in our house. She usually nuzzles around when I drive to work right before 9, and then wakes up for a stretch around 11. 7:30 is not on her regular schedule. The tech said that was actually a good thing as long as she was turned the right way, meaning she wouldn't be wiggling all over and sticking her hands in her face.

She turned on the US thing, gelled up my belly and there she was! We found out that since our last appointment she's turned head down (yay! No breech baby!), her back is along the left side of my stomach and her hands and feet are on the right, which explains why most movement is on the right side or middle. She had her face turned in just the right direction to get some great pictures. She was also keeping her hand right in front of her face, which is something Andrew does frequently. It's so neat to think that even before being born she can have mannerisms, especially ones that mimic something her Dad does.

So now for the fun stuff!!

Open mouth for a second

Foot on my belly!

Serious face

This one, you can see her shoulder on the bottom, the umbilical cord is over her shoulder, and her hand is by her nose with her thumb under her index finger like she's playing "I got your nose!"

How far along: 29 weeks - 11 weeks left!

Symptoms: Slight heartburn/indegestion, knee pain, feet swelling is becoming more consistent, way less room in my stomach for food. I can only eat about 1/2 of the portion I used to, but I get hungry more frequently. I've started noticing Braxton Hicks contractions, but they're pretty random. It's most obvious if I've been sitting for a while, once I stand up my stomach gets really tight. If I have a full bladder I almost have to hunch over forward b/c it's so tight and uncomfortable.

Sleep: If I'd written this post a couple of days ago it wouldn't have been much different from last time, but as of last night I think sleep problems might be heading my way. I just could not get comfortable last night. I've cut out liquids in the hours before bed so I can now make it about 2 hours without having to pee. But the weight and size of my stomach is increasing and making it much more difficult to get and stay in a good spot. I'm hoping it was a fluke, but I'm not so sure. I have to sleep on my side, but wake up on my back throughout the night. That's kind of a no-no at this point, but I can't control rolling over in my sleep. Maybe since my belly is getting heavier it'll become harder to roll without waking myself up. I know it's hard to reposition when I do it on purpose!

Clothes: Today we had a break from super hot weather and I'm wearing jeans. This sounds silly, but it's only the 3rd time I've worn jeans since about May. It's just been too dang hot! On a more personal side, some of my under garments aren't fitting properly anymore, so things are definitely growing. You know you have to buy new tops and pants for pregnancy, but new undies, I wasn't expecting that one.

Cravings/Aversions: No real aversions at this point. Fried okra is about the best food ever invented. Diet coke from a fountain is still my favorite beverage. I've realized I drink ice cold water much better than cool or room temp water. I keep about six 20 oz water bottles in the fridge and refill and reuse them. I can chug almost an entire bottle when I'm at home. Thirst is intense, especially at night when I'm trying to limit myself. I bought a big thing of vanilla/chocolate swirl ice cream that I enjoy a small bowl of each evening. It's so good. Like too good.

Movement: This past weekend I think she was having a growth spurt because things were pretty calm and quiet. She still met the 10 movements in a 2 hour window minimum, but was much calmer than usual. Well that changed on Monday. Mon and Tuesday she was making up for lost time and going crazy. She is a lot stronger than she was even 4 weeks ago. The tech pointed out that she's turned head down and her limbs are on the right so, so that's where I feel most of her movements. She also has a new thing that feels like mini spasms from time to time. They don't last long, but it's a really weird feeling.
  
Random: She's head down, which is good. In some pictures you can see the umbilical cord sitting over her right shoulder. I'm concerned that it may wrap around her neck at some point, but since there's nothing I can do about it I'm trying not to think about it too much. Today when the nurse took my blood pressure she got 160/82, which is way high for me. I think she rushed it b/c when they redid it with a different nurse she got 126/80 which is perfectly in line with what it usually is for me. Fingers crossed it was a fluke and my BP stays good!!

Baby Size:  She is approximately 2 and a half pounds and about 15 inches from head to heel. So length wise she's close to her full size (most babies are about 19-21 inches long). She'll put on a good amount of weight in the next 11 weeks. Apps say she's about the size of a butternut squash. Whatever that looks like. Can't say I'm familiar with that variety of squash lol.

Now for 29 week pictures!

He's a good sport. He let me take this, then immediately requested it not go on facebook. The blog doesn't count, does it?

Next week we will celebrate the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, which is crazy to think about. Gotta make it through this week first though :)

Remembering Dad: 3 Years Later

Today marks 3 years since my dad passed. I think most everyone was shocked and caught off guard, despite years of declining health. I realize now he probably hid quite a bit in regard to his well being, or lack of. I last saw him about 2 months before his death, and while I thought he seemed better, in hindsight he had a sad look to his eye, like he knew something I didn't. He gave me a rock he'd found that was shaped like a heart. Said something along the lines of "I've been saving this for you because you're my heart." I wish I could remember what he said exactly. I was leaving and in a rush to get on the road heading home, and he stopped me right before I got in the car. What I wouldn't give to hold on to that memory a little tighter. To have hugged him a little longer. To have listened more closely.

In the midst of life, it's easy to move too fast, think too quickly, not soak up the details of what's going on around us. This is especially true in this phase of my life. Pregnancy is flying by. Even with blogging and writing on my calendar everyday like my Nanny used to do, details slip away. Conversations become less clear. My memory is generally foggy. I don't remember details very well. Sometimes I don't remember major plot points. I've always been that way. Things just don't stick like they do with some people. That is a large reason for writing this blog, or filling out my calendar. So I can look back and remember the mundane things that happened, along with the big ones. Partially I like to keep out of town family and friends abreast of what's going on in our lives, but mostly I write for myself. To supplement my own memory.

So today I write to remember my dad. To say his life and our relationship was complicated would be the truth. He went through some hard times around the end of my elementary school career, and they really impacted who he became and how he lived the rest of his life. I can't say I understand some of the decisions he made, or how he lived his life. I had a fair amount of trouble accepting things for a long time. It took his passing for me to really see things clearly, and to let go of a lot of frustrations and resentment. I don't mean this to be negative towards him or our relationship, just an honest assessment of how I felt. It makes me sad to admit that I felt closer to him after his passing than I did before. Before his death I had trouble remembering that he was human. He was dealing with hardship and life the best way he knew how, and since it was different from how I would have handled it, I didn't understand it. One of the beauties of life is the ability to be your own person. But this also creates boundaries between people who can't accept who that person is. 

But I understand now.

My dad was a great man. He loved me more than any other man has loved me before. (not to diminish Andrew's love for me in any way, but the way a man loves his daughter is a different kind of love). He supported me and cheered for me and sat through dance recital after dance recital. He tolerated my attitude as a teenager and accepted me for who I was - a moody teenager. He was able to look past my negatives, because I guess as a parent, that's what you do. He saw me with rose-tinted glasses, even in my darkest of times.

He passed along many lessons and qualities, and made me who I am, some from direct instruction, and some indirectly. My love of painting, caring for animals, knack for giving all people and creatures countless nicknames, my resilience, take-charge attitude and 'no bull accepted' view on life. He also helped teach me to be fun and carefree, to dig up the garden and plant new seeds. He sadly failed at making me very athletic or good at softball, but I won't count that one against him. He tried.

I hate that he missed my wedding, and that he won't be here to enjoy Hannah. He loved kids so much and mentioned on multiple occasions that grandchildren were on the top of his 'want' list. He didn't get to meet the amazing man that puts up with me, and sees me with those same rose-tinted glasses that he wore. He was never really crazy about any guy I brought home. No one was ever good enough for his daughter, but I know he would approve of Andrew.

The day of his funeral was tough. It's one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. But at the end of the service, when family went back to my aunt's house to visit and remember my dad, I looked out over the field and saw a rainbow. One of those signs when I needed it most.

He's with me. He sees the happiness Andrew brings out in me. He will watch Hannah grow up. 

Love you Dad,

Mickel

Pregnancy: 26 Weeks

We are one week away from the third trimester. Holy cow! I can't believe she will be here in 14 short weeks. If the remaining time passes anywhere as quickly as the first 7 months did then I'll never be ready in time! I just checked my handy dandy baby count down and it's in double digits.

95 days remaining, guys. Wow!

Wednesday I had an OB appointment to do my gestational diabetes test, an ultra sound to check how she's growing, and the regular consult. I got to experience the joy (hah-not) of the glucose test. This lovely drink was like Sunkist with triple the sugar. Downside is I hate orange flavored drinks. So gross. It has to be finished within 5 minutes, so I manned up and chugged it like I was in a beer drinking contest. Yuck.

An hour later I was getting 2 vials of blood drawn. Normally I don't mind blood draws, but for some reason this one hurt. It was painful while she was doing it, then it stung for an hour after she was finished. I should have found out today if I passed, but no word yet. Hopefully no news is good news. If I failed I have to do the dreaded 3 hour test. Horror stories. That's all I've heard of it. Fasting. Multiple blood draws. Faintness. Nausea. Bad things. Fingers crossed I passed.

After the glucose test we hopped over to the ultra sound room to get a quick look at Hannah to see how she's growing and make sure my amniotic fluid is at the correct levels. Ms. Tech said she's measuring about 5 days smaller than 26 weeks, but this is totally normal. Apparently anywhere from a 2-3 week difference is fine and dandy. All babies grow differently so they give a little wiggle room in the growth window. She's estimated to be a solid 2.2 pounds. Woohoo! Oh, and if you care, my amniotic fluid is just fine. Normal and normal. Thank goodness.

The tech measured her head, belly, femur, the big ticket items that are apparently good to measure during a growth scan. But she also let us watch for a few minutes and we got a couple of neat shots. She even switched over to 3D and gave us a semi-clear face shot of little lady. Prepare yourselves for sweetness overload.

 

Look at those chubby cheeks! And the little round nose? Looks a lot like mine. I was certain she'd have Andrew's nose after the last US, but this one looks pretty close to mine from what I can tell. Andrew thinks 3d pictures are pretty creepy, and I guess they kind of are, but getting to see what she looks like is amazing. Even if it isn't clear, I have a loose idea of what she looks like and she's not due for another 14 weeks! Amazing I tell you.

She also asked for no paparazzi photos to be taken. Or she was practicing ballet hands. Either way, she had her hands up by her face. It's so cool you can even see her fingers! Technology is something else.

How far along: 26 weeks

Symptoms: Knee pain, hormones have been a little less stable the last few days, but overall I haven't been a hot mess like I was expecting. I've got the linea negra under my belly button, no stretch marks [yet]. Happy to say pregnancy brain hasn't been as bad lately. I'm starting to be a little more tired. Next week marks the 3rd trimester, so I won't be surprised if the exhaustion returns.

Sleep: Insomnia/trouble falling asleep seems to be returning. I've started cutting out liquids about an hour before bedtime and removing all water bottles from the bedroom so I can't chug water in the middle of the night. This makes me able to go about 3 hours between bathroom breaks, which is huge! I'm needing more pillows and more space, so Andrew sleeps on the couch half of the time. Says he has more room there than in bed. Sorry buddy. 

Clothes: Summer maternity wear. It's the only option. Full belly band shorts and skirts at that. Comfort is key!

Cravings/Aversions: Soda, cold water, hashbrowns, salty stuff, Wendy's frosties. On occasion I request that Andrew bring home a piece of cheesecake. Happy to say I can now eat grilled chicken again. I don't care for it as much as I used to, but it's not a major aversion anymore

Movement: Girl friend is getting strong!! If I play music through my phone and put it up to my stomach she'll start moving about 50% of the time. When she does they are strong kicks and full belly moves. She's been getting a little higher in my stomach and something (hands maybe?) are under my ribs on the right side just under my boob. Awkward feeling. She still does a little dance on my bladder. She moves much more frequently now, but is still sticking to her pattern of reliable times.

Random: At the appointment this week when we saw her the tech said she's breech with her head under my left breast and feet down in my belly (hello bladder!). That explains why I feel most kicks and punches on the right side I guess.

Baby Size: I'm almost ready to give up on this. The app says she's the size of a head of lettuce, but at 2.2 pounds and about 9 inches (i think) that doesn't sound right. I do know she'll go through a growth spurt between now and 32 weeks and almost double in size. Growing girl!

June Showers

I for one and glad to see the month of June completed and gone. It was kind of a rough month for me. I try to stay positive and not be one to complain, but multiple events coupled with pregnancy hormones, heat and a rough morning were more than I could take. The last day of June was the straw that broke the camels back. Thankfully the month has passed and hopefully taken the deluge of bad luck with it.

Of course I understand things can always be worse. I have a wonderful life and am very thankful for everyone and everything in it. But that doesn't mean I can't recognize hardships. I figure the hard times make us appreciate the good ones, so that's what I'll be doing in July. Recognizing all the great in my life! To wrap up June, I'd like to jot down a few things to remember that hard seasons do come.

 My great grandmother, Memo, passed away on June 10. This wonderful woman lived to be 100 years old, and celebrated life with humor and passion like very few others. She was truly one of a kind. I'm thankful we got to see her in January for her 100th birthday party. She was in good spirits and to be 100, pretty good health if you ask me. A pretty bird until the end.

My great uncle Putt passed away a few days later, June 17th I believe. He was one of the most honest and hard working men I've ever known. I am particularly grateful to him for the care and understanding he showed my dad when he was going through dark days. When many other family members either could not or would not be there for my father, Uncle Putt was. He never gave up on him and for that I am eternally grateful.

 

My dear sweet Nanny had a massive heart attack in March and has been having complications with Congestive Heart Failure since then. These came to a head last week, so Mom and myself took her to the doctor who immediately had her admitted to UAB. After a few hours she was moved to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where she's been for the last 4 days. There is a very delicate dance going on of trying to get her stable and medicines figured out. They'll change something seemingly minor that sends everything else into a tail spin. She is toughing it out while they try to get her fixed up. There aren't words for how much she means to me, so seeing her go through this is very very hard.

 

This pretty face was feeling pretty crappy in June as well. She somehow managed to sprain her back, get a yeast infection in her foot pads, internal parasites, fleas, skin allergies. You name it she probably had it. Way to make me feel like a Mommy failure Sid! She went from fine to yelping at the touch in a matter of days. When we got her to the vet and was read a laundry list of problems, I felt awful that it had all gone unnoticed for who knows how long. Countless pills, visits and hundreds and hundreds of dollars later, she's like a a spring chicken again. We are very glad she's feeling better, but boy did it hurt my wallet. Andrew assures me she's worth it though. ;)

This old girl also put a hurting on me this month. There'd been a crack in the windshield for over a year, but it wasn't in the way of my line of sight and I let it be. On the way to do a girls dinner a week or so ago a rock popped up on 459 and added another crack to the windshield, directly below the existing one. Well I didn't want the two to merge and make friends, leaving my windshield unstable, so I bit the bullet to have it replaced. Not even a week later the battery went out and had to be replaced. I'm concerned the transmission has some issues but it's still under warranty. I've put off having a crack in the exhaust looked at, but it will have to be dealt with sooner or later.

All in all, it could always be worse. But the hits to the heart and wallet still sting. I mean it's not like we're trying to save up for any other large expenses in our future or anything. Nah, I didn't need to put money towards a car seat or anything. /sigh. 

June has come and gone and all I can do is hope that the hardships go with it!!