Baby Bump - 20 Weeks

end of 17 Weeks - Ahahaha!

end of 17 Weeks - freshly home from camping (i.e. 3 days without a shower!)

 19.5 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks
Gender: GIRL!!  (Yay!)
Weight gain: 7 pounds.
Stretch marks:  No.
Worst moment this month: The "Welcome to School" cold brought home by C, which ultimately led to three sick kids AND the discovery of mucousy, cold curdled milk vomit that I discovered only because I sat in it.  And going to a midwife appointment and arriving 15 minutes late... no wait!  I didn't even have an appointment that day so, I was technically two weeks EARLY! Oh, and waking up to find that A had taken our return address stamp to many (many!) illegal surfaces, such as couches and floors and high chairs, before transferring his dutiful efforts to paper.  I was also NOT pleased to hear my midwife say I'll have to have biophysical profiles and non-stress tests weekly, starting at 34-36 weeks, and that I'll have to be induced at 38-39 weeks "due to my age".  (What!?)
Best moment(s) this month: Having the anatomy scan and seeing a healthy baby GIRL!  She is estimated to be about 13 oz. right now and looks great!
Strangest moment(s) this month: Waking up from a dream where I was head over heels in love with a Forney look-alike (from Where the Heart Is)... The weirdest dream possibly of ever.
Miss anything: My energy!  If I don't sleep well (most nights!), I feel pretty useless until I rest a LOT.  So many evenings, I've finally built up enough energy and buzz around getting things done after dinner time.  So ineffective!
Ultrasound count to date: 3
Movement:  Yes!  Daily now!  I always tell her "hi" and call her by her nickname.
Cravings: White cheddar cheetos, regular popcorn, ice water, fruit salads, whole wheat baked goods, tomato basil wheat thins.
Queasy or sick: Mostly better, except this damp, musty smell in my house makes me feel queasy.  And everyone's "I have a cold" breath.  And I still can't have many sweets (dark chocolate is ok now!) and any soda makes me feel sick!
Looking forward to: Honestly? February.  But until then, I suppose "cooler weather" and maybe even "Halloween" will suffice.

~Nichole

Baby Bump - 16 Weeks

How far along: 16 weeks
Gender: We don't know yet.
Weight gain: None yet.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Worst moment this week: Being besieged by migraines.
Best moment(s) this week: Starting to feel little fluttery movements!
Miss anything: Feeling good
Ultrasound count to date: 2
Movement:  A few fluttery movements here and there.  Especially at night after I've had cold water.
Cravings: Still white cheddar cheetos.  And sweets, but they make me feel super sick.
Queasy or sick: Mostly better.
Looking forward to: Finding out if this baby's a girl or a boy.

~Nichole

Baby Bump 4.0 - 12 Weeks

So, I decided to do belly pics again.  But this time will be monthly instead of weekly, and this time, rather than posed with a chalkboard, I'm going to post photos that sort of happen naturally.  Even if they are unflattering (ha!). (I'll also probably do a belly cast toward the end. We're definitely done this time!)

10 Weeks

13.5 Weeks

How far along: 12.5 weeks
Gender: We don't know yet! I had an ultrasound at 12w2d, and asked the techs "best guess".  She thinks girl (twice!) and that would just be awesome!
Weight gain: None
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Worst moment this week: My nerves and emotions slapping me around HARD in the waiting room for my ultrascreen (first trimester screening, including ultrasound and blood test).  My doc originally sent me to PPA, and I was all kinds of superstitious and felt silly, but I did NOT want to go back there!  I called the fetal medicine doctor I saw with A and R (before the perinatologists!) but he's now retired.  So, I found another one, called for an appointment, and had my referral switched to them.  I am so glad I did that!  I was grabbing at kleenex and told the tech I was feeling fragile.  She was awesome, as most MFM techs I've met are!
Best moment(s) this week: Seeing baby move and kick
Miss anything: Feeling good
Ultrasound count to date: 2
Movement: Not yet! 
Cravings: Anything with white cheddar on it!  Popcorn, cheetos, more cheetos...
Queasy or sick: Yes.  Getting better, but still sick.
Looking forward to: Feeling movement.

~Nichole

39 Weeks

How far along: 39 Weeks, 0 days - and going in for our C section [made it to 40w3d with C before I went into labor; made it to 39w0d with A and was induced]
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  30 pounds [40-ish pounds with C; 40 pounds with A]
Stretch marks:  Not this time, nor any other time.  [The small stretch marks on my hips (from mission weight gain) turned red with C, but never did anything this time or with A.]
Belly button in or out: In! [as it has been each time.]
Worst moment this week: Trying to put lotion on my legs post-shower is pretty laughable, and makes me feel pretty "done".  And feeling my feet swell with water is never really that fun!  But the worst is the anxiety that threatens to swallow me up if I let it take hold.  So I don't let it.  I push it away.  As I told M, I can fall apart afterward, in the "privacy" of my hospital room.
Best moment(s) this week: It was pretty great laying on the boys' bed trying to get A back to sleep in the wee hours of Saturday morning and being able to pop both hips!  BUT, hands down, the best EVER is gonna be TODAY!
Miss anything: My more "slender" feet and legs.  [Swelling was the very worst with C; better with A; and best this time around!]
Ultrasound count to date: 17.  [I'd really be interested in finding out how many I had with C and how many with A.  But I'm too lazy to go find those pics in their albums and count them.  I think they're about the same - between 4 and 6 each.]
Movement: It's still pretty regular, but also less. 
Cravings: On Saturday, I wanted an A&W root beer float.  I settled for a Sonic blended float instead. On Sunday, I wanted Almond Roca.  [With C, I craved chili dogs and with A, it was sweets; this time, it's been all over the map.  But yeah, sweets.]
Queasy or sick: Nope. :)
Looking forward to: Meeting baby in a few hours' time!! 

~Nichole

38 Weeks

How far along: 38 Weeks
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  30 pounds 
Stretch marks:  No. (hooray!)
Belly button in or out: In!
Sleep: Worse.  Heartburn is really the worst ever when trying to sleep!
Worst moment this week: Standing in the shower, watching my belly shake with baby hiccups and realizing these are probably my last moments being pregnant and experiencing this ever.  Like ever ever. 
Best moment(s) this week: Getting the last minute things done.  Plus two play dates here at the house!  Fun.
Miss anything: A non-acidic, non-radiating esophagus...
Ultrasound count to date: 17.  Baby girl failed her NST for the second time on Tuesday and we had to do an extra ultrasound (BPP).  She looked good: was practicing breathing, heart was strong, and she had good "gross body movement" (and I got a pic of her "full head of hair").  She passed her NST today, so we got to have on a regular fluid check on that visit, but they still looked for breathing, movement and heart rate.  We're definitely in the home stretch!
Movement: Definitely happening, but definitely less.  I think she's running out of room...
Cravings:  Ice.  Chocolate.  Green smoothies.
Queasy or sick: Nope.
Looking forward to: Next Wednesday!!  Feeling very ready to meet this baby girl!

**Weekly update from perinatolgist's office: On Tuesday, baby girl failed her NST for the second time, which means I got to see her again on ultrasound.  Today, they had to buzz her again, but this time she passed!  Everything looks good.  Only one more NST on the day before her birth day!

~Nichole

37 Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks (we made it full-term! woohoo!)
Gender: Girl (but I cannot pretend I'm not freaked by the idea of having the doctor declare a shocking "boy!" after delivery).
Weight gain:  30 pounds 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In!
Sleep: Thankfully a little better!  I've learned to cut myself off of anything to drink after dinner... And less itching is also helpful.  (A couple of weeks ago, they retested my bile acids as a precaution.  Still free of cholestasis, thankfully.) 
Worst moment(s) this week: Hands down, it was during my Friday non-stress test.  I became very very uncomfortable on the table I was reclining on, feeling a little nauseous and light headed.  The medical assistant who was watching my results came back in, decided to "buzz" the baby, and I told her I was not feeling well at all.  She sat me up a bit, I tried to shift to my left side.  I felt even more light headed and dizzy and hot and told her I was probably going to pass out.  She turned a fan on and put a cold cloth on my head.  I don't think I actually passed out, just that my hearing completely faded and I sort of went into a daze and slept a bit, maybe?  I have no idea what happened, only that they took my blood pressure again, and then an RN came into the room and insisted they make sure to take my pulse as well.  I started feeling slightly better, but it took an awfully long time to completely recover.  It definitely reminded me of the close call I had when pregnant with C, followed by the time I actually did pass out with him. (And also of how motherflipping uncomfortable I was while waiting for my D&E that one time.) And again, I wondered whether throwing up, feeling like you're going to die before passing out, or actually passing out is worse.  It was a pretty awful experience either way, and made me very ready to get the scarier, more uncomfortable parts of my upcoming c-section done and over with!  (To that end, I've contemplated having an audio book playing, having nothing at all, or having some music on - any of which could easily backfire and make me feel more anxious than relaxed - but I have almost decided on just having some Jack Johnson playing on my iPod...)
Best moment(s) this week: Having my best friend in town (and staying with us) for 3 days and nights!  Seriously so fun!  We hung out, caught up, had fun with the kids, and got girlfriend pedis, which are the best kind. 
Miss anything: Can't think of anything...
Ultrasound count to date:  Friday made it 15.  Fluid level looked good (22cm) and baby is head down again.
Movement: Slowing down a bit as she gets bigger and longer.  Also, she likes to try and stretch out, and I feel her from the top of my belly to the bottom (her head is pretty low!). 
Cravings: Ice.  Chocolate (peeps) (or chocolate anything, really).
Queasy or sick: Aside from that wonky NST and a rough throat that I can't decide is because of threatening cold or the horrible air quality?  No. 
Looking forward to: Making final preparations to get ready for this baby girl.  I'm trying to keep myself busy with some last-minute things I'd like to get done over the next week and a half, hoping it will make the time pass faster.

**Weekly update from perinatolgist's office:  So, after I nearly passed out, they took my blood pressure a couple more times, and it was perfect each time.  They did a more detailed ultrasound (a biophysical profile in addition to a growth ultrasound) and it wasn't until the ultrasound was almost over that I really felt better, albeit very tired with a slight headache. Baby girl, although not very active on the NST, looked great on ultrasound - practicing breathing, moving, etc. - and it looks like she's about 5.5 pounds right now, with lots of hair.  My blood-sugar was a bit high and the midwife said my fainting episode might have been because of a spike in blood sugar after breakfast, followed by a quick drop (and that I need more protein for breakfast!), but it could have been several things, really (that table was really uncomfortable, for instance).

~Nichole

36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  28 pounds 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In!
Sleep: We moved the boys' bed and A started magically sleeping through the night again (I just jinxed it - watch).  But I'm still up every few hours. 
Worst moment(s) this week: Having the same perinatologist who gave me so much hope last week immediately dash that hope once she saw baby's foot still up by her head (which I knew all along).  I'm completely and totally nervous now that a c-section is the only option and it's for real.  We're scheduled for the 7th.  I mean, we're really officially scheduled!!
Best moment(s) this week: Spring cleaning-slash-nesting.  My house looks sorta awesome (though some areas still have a layer of dirt or two that needs tending to - and the strewn-about kids toys are less, but still prevalent).  Also, I've been sewing more dresses.
Miss anything: Sleep.  For serious.
Ultrasound count to date:  Friday made it 14.  Fluid level looked good (17cm), but baby was transverse, with her poor little face mushed against my belly.  We haven't had a profile shot in something like 6 weeks.
Movement: She's still in there, rolling around like crazy sometimes.
Cravings: Ice water.  Lemonade.  Lemon brownies. 
Queasy or sick: Still feeling worn on the edges from not sleeping well and like a physical collapse might be imminent...
Looking forward to: My best friend coming into town for a few days!  And for 2.5 weeks from now, when we all get to meet this baby girl!  (The next 2.5 weeks almost can't go fast enough!)

**Weekly update from perinatolgist's office: Baby girl is still looking good on her non-stress tests.  She looked good on ultrasound too, aside from being transverse-slash-oblique and being a little squished in that position.  Turns out I probably won't even get to meet the perinatologist who is scheduled to do my c section before I go in... nothing like operating room introductions!  My very favorite part of the visit (aside from the fact that they got me in and out quickly!) was before the visit, when C was saying goodbye as I dropped him off and he told me to "take my shots like a man" that day.  Maybe I complained too much about the Tdap stinging the week before?  I don't know, but that kid cracks me up!

~Nichole

35 Weeks (Better Late Than Never!)

yes.  I really AM this tired...

How far along: 35 weeks
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  28 pounds 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: Still an innie.
Sleep: I'm up at least 4 times a night all on my own, either peeing or itching, or trying to get comfortable.  Add any kid wakings to this, and the sleeping is nicht so gut.  I try to squeeze naps in whenever I can!
Worst moment(s) this week: Standing inside of Target listening to a newborn baby cry and wanting to cry along with him (instead of going "awwwwww" like normal people do).  I think there's a general feeling in our house that this is really going to happen and that we're probably not as emotionally ready as we might want to be.  A newborn in about FOUR* weeks!  Whoa!
Best moment(s) this week: My shower was so fun! 
Miss anything: Sleeping well.  And non-painful hips.
Ultrasound count to date:  Friday's ultrasound was lucky #13! (Except not so lucky... see update below.)
Movement: I've gotten to where if I can be really still and feel her a couple of times a day, I'm good.  I know her space is running out, and I can't feel her move as well because her limbs don't move - and at this stage that's about the only thing that can usually move...
Cravings: I'm loving cantaloupe popsicles (the current version features a few strawberries thrown in)!  And lemonade.  And ice water.  And I can't decide of Greek or Mexican food sounds better to me at this point. 
Queasy or sick: A little worn on the edges from not sleeping (translation: sore throat is threatening), but doing good otherwise. 
Looking forward to: Finding out what position this baby is in - limbs and all - and making some decisions about how to get her here the safest way possible.**

* Really, it's more like 3.5 weeks.  Double whoa!

** Update on perinatology visit: This week was triple fun!  Baby looked good on the non-stress test, as she always does.  And my fluid levels are good.  I told the tech about the doc wanting to check the limb positioning before we make any decisions about delivery.  She did and went and got the doc, who - because of that piked up right foot near baby's head - was adamant about c-section.  She said that the doctor who will perform the c-section can make the incision a little larger to try and make it easier to get her out, but that regular delivery didn't seem feasible.  She looked at the schedule for May 7, 8, and 9 and told me it was the same doctor those three days.  Of course it's a doctor I've never met.  And of course M had many questions I didn't think of asking (but couldn't be there because of work).

After that, I saw the midwife who wanted to recheck my liver panels because I've been itching again the last few days.  And then did the Group B Strep test.  And checked my cervix (closed!).  And said I needed another Tdap vax.

Long story short, I got the definitive news I'm going to be sectioned AND I got swabbed, poked, poked, and poked.  (Side note: the Tdap stung pretty good for like a half hour and made me really really hope that's not how the Dtap vax feels for my kids.  Man, I hate vaccines.)  Despite all this, it was the first visit where I sort of felt like everyone finally knows me there, and that, despite the strangeness of everything, my care there really is pretty comprehensive rather than piecemeal.  That was kind of nice.

~Nichole

34 Weeks

How far along: 34 weeks
Gender: One soon-to-be very well-dressed baby GIRL!
Weight gain:  26 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Not as many as you would think for how big my belly is getting.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. Wedding ring is long gone...
Sleep: I basically sleep in two-hour stretches.  My bladder and my 22 mo. old are apparently working together to try and prepare me for a newborn.  Thank goodness for the times M steps in and takes over (with the 22 mo. old, not the bladder)!
Worst moment these past two weeks: These have been a BIG few weeks!  And besides the sleeping issues, there haven't been a lot of "worst" moments.  Still, the internal battle over how much to push with the perinatology office has not been fun.
Best moment(s) these past two weeks: Lots of them!  My last day of work, C LOVING wearing underwear and being potty trained, A transitioning to cloth diapers really well, good non-stress tests, starting back with yoga for this poor, pregnant body of mine, and having an actual perinatologist unexpectedly come in to see me and having a decent conversation about options other than cesarean delivery (then having her call an hour later and say she was re-reviewing my chart and wants to do a complete scan to make notes of baby's body and limb positioning before we make any decisions).  All of THIS is what I've been waiting for!  (But especially the perinatologist part!)
Miss anything: A small belly.  Everyone closest to me (M and the boys) have commented on how big it is.  [C said "it's just going to get bigger!" And I said "yes, and then she'll come out and it won't anymore." And he said "Then you'll get skinny!" and I said "yes!! Let's do that!]
Ultrasound count to date:  We've had a total of 12 ultrasounds!  Whoa!
Movement: Yes, but not as often or as large now that she's settled into one position (still face down, head down).  Still, this girl moves a lot more than you'd expect, and I can feel her back and butt moving across my belly like a metronome, counting down the weeks and days until we get to meet each other.  It's great!
Cravings: Not really.  But I'm getting ready to make some canteloupe popsicles and banana bread, so maybe those subliminally?
Queasy or sick: A little "off" if I eat too much, especially in the mornings. Or if I go too long in the afternoons without eating.  Weird. 
Looking forward to: The detailed ultrasound scan next week and seeing if attempting a normal delivery is going to be an option for us! 

**Update on perinatologist visit: When a doctor I've seen in the background since my first visit at the perinatology office walked into the NST room last Friday, I was VERY happy.  Not only was I finally officially meeting this doctor, but it was my chance to ask the questions that were swirling in my head.  She was of the opinion that vaginal delivery would not only be possible, but preferable.  Surprising to me, but she explained that cesarean is major surgery for me and, since they can only cut me open so much, does not necessarily guarantee best outcomes for the baby.  She said it's preferable to let baby try to find her own positioning on the way out, rather than being pulled or pushed to get her through an incision site.  She consulted with another perinatologist on site, and he agreed.  She said the c-section threshold would still be very low (either doc or me could "say the word" and we'd be there immediately), but I was just thrilled to have that option open back up.  I did express concern about her legs and how that would be done, but their consensus was the same. 

The doc then called back an hour later, and said "I don't know if you remember, but I did your first scan and noted the baby's positioning" and I told her she's sort of been in the background scenes since the beginning.  She said she had been reviewing everything and wants to have the positioning of everything before we make any decisions.  She said we want to "play it smart".  This doctor on that day was definitely a blessing!  I definitely have more questions (and so does M), but the fact that we're having this dialogue is fantastic.

Baby girl continues to look fantastic not only on her non-stress tests, but also on ultrasound.  Moving around and practicing breathing like crazy! 

~Nichole

32 Weeks

this is the definition of "cooked": no makeup, hair not done... this might be as good as it gets from here on out, folks.

How far along: 32 weeks
Gender: Baby girl
Weight gain:  24 pounds 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. And wedding ring is out! :(
Sleep: Was horrendous, but is slowly getting better (and I probably just jinxed it).
Worst moment(s) this week: I had a perfectly nice perinatologist walk into my appointment (when I expected a NP) and got my hopes up that he could be someone I really like (and maybe see more than once?), only to have him say as he left "well, good luck if I don't see you again".  Seriously!? So, of course, then I had more mid-night mental arguments with faceless perinatologists before finally resolving to be patient for a few more weeks before calling the neonatologist and demanding he instruct his people to watch every move the perinatologist makes when getting baby out "because these people don't know that the hell they are doing".  Oh, then there was the time that I googled "pregnancy itching at night" and learned I could possibly have a liver condition that could harm baby's liver and cause stillbirth.  So, blood tests, here I come!
Best moment(s) this week: Passing our first "real" non-stress test!  And, strangely enough for me, looking forward to my baby shower.  I have been more than usually reluctant this time, because I didn't see the point in having to dictate clothing options, and have sometimes been lost in a land of worry, etc. etc.  But the thought of this shower is really helping me tip the scales less toward worrying and more toward the realization that this baby girl will be a baby first and foremost.  She'll be cute and cuddly and new and wonderful and all those new baby things.  She will not just be her needs or her condition.  And in the vacuum that is expectancy of a child with "something wrong"... sometimes it's hard to see that, especially when it's buried under the layers of all that comes with it.
Miss anything: Sleep, glorious sleep...
Movement: There've been a few times I've been worried.  But I can always count on her moving a bunch as I'm laying the boys down to bed.  The promise of twice-weekly non-stress tests is definitely helping to ease my mind.
Cravings: I really wish fruit featured more heavily in my diet these days.  More fruit and less chocolate would be great. 
Queasy or sick: Nope! 
Looking forward to: My very last day of work next Thursday!  (Whoa!)

**Update on perinatologist visits: Baby is looking good on non-stress tests.  For the second test, I ate a snack and had some cold water in the waiting room like they suggested, and she performed beautifully.  After sufficiently freaking myself out with Google, I decided to mention the itching to the CNM I saw on Friday.

They ran panels for my liver function to test for cholestasis, a pregnancy-induced condition where hormones make the transport of bile to the liver slow down and it builds up in your bloodstream.  This means that it taxes not only your own liver, but baby's as well, since the blood supply is shared (thank you, symbiosis!).  I won't get the results back for at least a week, but have started on prescription medication and a self-prescribed supplement in the meantime, just in case.  While an earlier delivery at 37 weeks sounds heavenly, I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have cholestasis.  Poor baby doesn't need another hurdle to leap over!

They did a quick ultrasound to check my fluid (looking good! yea!) and she was head down and face down.  I became convinced she was stuck that way and later laid tilted up on pillows to try and get her unstuck.  I don't know if I succeeded, but there've been a couple of dicey moments with the movement.  When she shifts big, it's painful because a rigid right foot or a bent out left knee will poke something and I have to brace for impact...

C keeps asking me when I go to my "doctor's ma-ppointment" if they're going to "take her out".  I keep telling him "not today".  On Friday, we braved up and took the boys to the ultrasound and to see the CNM, just for fun.  Bad idea.  They will never be coming to another "ma-ppointment" again!


~Nichole

30 Weeks and 31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks
Gender: Girl (except for the last couple of days when I've been in a Twilight Zone thinking it's a "he"... What!?)
Weight gain:  23 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Increasingly.  (boo.)
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. But my wedding ring is very nearly "out".
Sleep: OMG.  So BAD, you guys!  I start getting itchy right about the time I am falling into sleep.  And the peeing.  And the children... ugh. Last "night", I didn't get to sleep until around 3:30 in the morning!
Worst moment these past two weeks: I can't remember back that far, but feeling a little panicked over how to get her into an infant seat was not fun.  And this morning was a little tough.  I was turning to drop the boys off and saw a man crossing the street with a significant (possibly club-footed) limp and some limitation of his upper limbs too and it unhinged me.  It made me sad about what the world does to people who are "different" and made me pray my daughter has the strength of character to withstand it. 
Best moment(s) these past two weeks: I finally finished the NICU smocks!  And today was my going away party at work!  As much as I resisted it, it was good to say "see ya" to people I've worked with over the last 7.5 years.  Also, I came across this website, and Tracy's newborn photos are the closest I've found online to what I'm seeing on ultrasound - except my baby's legs are opposite from how hers are.
Miss anything: Sleep! 
Movement: Sometimes downright stealthy, which freaks me out.  And also late at night (and all night long), which makes me feel better.
Cravings: I need me some Waffle Love.
Queasy or sick: Nope! 
Looking forward to: Upcoming twice weekly non-stress tests and weekly ultrasounds.  AND potty training C, version 2.0.  AND switching A to cloth diapers.  (In other words, there's a lot of poop in my near future!)


~Nichole

29 Weeks

How far along: 29 weeks
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  20 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Increasingly.  (boo.)
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. At my last ultrasound, the tech said my button was "so small".  I would definitely counter that it's not so much small as very deep... (also, my wedding ring is still on...but there've been a few times I thought it'd have to come off for good!)
Sleep: Ugh.  The peeing (and the renewed pregnancy-induced caffeine sensitivity) keeping me up have NOT been my friends.
Worst moment this week: Feeling frustrated with the whole perinatologist situation.  Hopefully a frank conversation with whomever we see tomorrow will do the trick!  Runner Up: Feeling emotionally fragile after watching this video late one night.  It left me feeling hopeful and amazed, but also pretty scared. 
Best moment this week: We had the BEST time in Sedona last weekend!  Every part of it - with the exception of trying to make two little boys behave in the 470 sq. ft. studio condo - was really very fun! 
Miss anything: Cooking dinner without having to sit down because I feel like I might pass out.
Movement: Yes.  I can count on her moving at certain times of the day now.  And if she doesn't, I worry and then make her by drinking something or taking deep breaths.
Cravings: Chocolate.
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Looking forward to: Tomorrow's ultrasound.  And getting started on my [long] list of "stuff" to do over the next two months.

And for good measure, here's a couple of shots of the boys with the 28 week board.  Too busy = no belly...

~Nichole

27 Weeks

How far along: 27 weeks
Gender: it's finally feeling real that it's a Girl!
Weight gain:  17 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Not so much.  As long as my handy dandy yoga pants hold out, we'll be just fine.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. (+ wedding ring is still on...but barely!)
Sleep: definitely need more of it!
Worst moment this week: Feeling very emotionally spent after Stomach Flu Week and then feeling VERY impatient with the perinatologist office and the fact that I see a different non-perinatologist practitioner every "doctor's" visit. 
Best moment this week: Seeing baby girl's hair on ultrasound!  (and her sweet face too!)  I've temporarily lost count of what number of ultrasound we're on... But she's breech (again!)  Runner up: Finally having A back from the dredges of sickness.  For a few days there, I was (irrationally) worried about autism having snatched him from me or something.
Miss anything: Not feeling stiff in my back and legs when I stand or sit for long periods - oh, and not walking like I'm 80.
Movement: Yes.  She's moved into a stealthy position again, which makes it hard to feel her unless I'm still.  BUT! She's getting hiccups regularly that I can feel with my hand on my belly, sort of like a heartbeat and about one per second for a few minutes at a time.
Cravings: Chocolate (but my stomach hates it!) and cookies.
Queasy or sick: Boy howdy... but MUCH better now!
Looking forward to: Getting my motivation back to get sewing again.  I've started three NICU smock and have one more to do, plus about nine more dresses. Whoa!

group photo!

~Nichole

26 Weeks

I feel as tired as I look!

How far along: 26 weeks
Gender: baby girl!
Weight gain:  16 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Eh.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. (+ wedding ring is still on!)
Sleep: Much better now that everyone is recovered from the stomach bug.  Man, that was ROUGH!
Worst moment this week: Is there anything worse than a kid's first vomit?  Being totally unprepared and hoping that it's a fluke?
Best moment this week: 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning after I'd been up for the second straight night and M came in an announced he was staying home from work!  A and I group-hugged him, I handed the sickie off to him and went to get some much-needed sleep.  He got A back to sleep for a while then changed, fed, dressed the boys after they woke up and took them outside to play.  It was pretty awesome.  Runner up: family nap time that afternoon.
Miss anything: Being able to get ready for the day without feeling like I'm going to pass out and having to sit down every few minutes.  I remember this from my pregnancy with C, but didn't have it much with A.
Movement: Yes.  Turns out she likes to have parties at night while the rest of us are sleeping.  (I know this after three straight nights of being awake with pukers....)
Cravings: Sweets!
Queasy or sick: Queasy after eating, especially sweets (chocolate, cookies, cake), while trying to fight off whatever it was the kids had.  Still can't really eat sweets, though!
Looking forward to: Another spurt of sewing energy (hopefully soon!).

~Nichole

25 Weeks

ditto: better late than never...

How far along: 25 weeks
Gender: Beautiful baby girl!
Weight gain:  17 pounds. 
Maternity clothes: Eh.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. (and wedding ring is still on!)
Sleep: Baby's head in my bladder plus trying to increase my water intake for the swelling means I'm getting up more in the middle of the night... :(
Worst moment this week: Getting really worried about not feeling her move as much or as frequently.  I went in to the perinatologist and had a non-stress test (and of course started feeling her move as soon as they were strapping me up), but that was inconclusive - because she's still so small and they had to keep chasing her around.  So they did an ultrasound - same tech as I had the previous Friday - and we saw her moving and her "breathing" and everything looked good.  She's still head down.  I'm pretty sure she rolled onto her side while we were on a family hike on Sunday, and has decided she's nice and comfy there.  But it means I barely feel her move.  I have to be sitting or lying very still most of the time.
Best moment this week: Having a visit from our bishop and our new stake president, feeling their concern and love for our little family, and knowing it is an extension of God's greater love for us.  Seriously awe-some.
Miss anything: Feeling good, solid baby movements.  But, I'm much more relieved now that I know she's OK.
Movement: She's definitely in there and definitely moving!  The tech even had a hard time getting some 3D images of her face because she was wiggling her head and back so much... Go figure.
Cravings: Cookies.  Then my visiting teachers brought some for me... And now, on to something else.
Queasy or sick:  Nope. :)
Looking forward to: Finishing the rest of her dresses!

~Nichole

24 Weeks

better late than never...

How far along: 24 weeks
Gender: Girl
Weight gain:  17 pounds.  (But it'll be a lot more if I don't lay off the sweets!  Ergh!)
Maternity clothes: Eh.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. (and wedding ring is still on!)
Sleep: Good!
Best moment this week: Seeing baby girl (and her perfect heart - which they checked extensively) on ultrasound, finding out I was right about her changing positions (she's now head down)... and seeing her drinking/swallowing!  All VERY good!  Runner up: sewing five dresses and cutting fabric for eight (8!) more.
Worst moment this week:  Being emotionally fragile and crying (from stress, not happiness) when my co-worker told me my boss is insisting on having a big going-away party for me at work.  Runner up: realizing my ankles are (already!?!) starting to swell.
Miss anything: A calm sciatic nerve.  The left one, to be exact.
Movement: Changed this week.  I had to sit really still or pay close attention while standing to feel her.  It was a little scary until I realized that: a) I'm still feeling her and b) she probably changed positions.
Cravings: Sushi.  (Finally took care of that on Saturday night!)
Queasy or sick:  Other than a mild sore throat?  Nah.
Looking forward to: Another ultrasound in a few weeks.

~Nichole

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 weeks
Gender: Still a girl!
Weight gain:  16-ish pounds.
Maternity clothes: Sort of.  I kind of look at them when deciding what to wear and go "ugh".  So, not many.
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In. (and wedding ring is still on!)
Sleep: Good!
Best moment this week: Being able to prod this baby into moving with sweet drinks and breathing exercises.  And on Tuesday, I felt some sort of body part poking around...
Worst moment this week: Today was a pretty awful day.  We saw the neonatologist and, seriously (!), someone needs to show these people how to do a lead-in of bad news.  For one, you don't drop the bomb right after introductions... We met Dr. L today and among his first words was the (new to us) news that Arthrogryposis that is detected in the first trimester (as ours was) is often lethal.  That was very VERY hard to hear.  He also said that baby will likely be in the NICU during pretty much her entire hospital stay, meaning I'll be going up to the 3rd floor to visit her (not to mention that the tests they will conduct on her will be much more extensive than I even imagined).  I had to will myself not to cry and to keep it together and not break down several times.  Even so, Dr. L proved himself to be wonderfully compassionate (even if his profession forces him to be a realist) and he even gave us his personal cell number.  There's still so much we won't know until this baby is born, but we are hopeful.  And despite the hard news today, I am grateful for the opportunity to try to prepare as much emotionally and physically as I can.
Miss anything: Normal OB visits. (Seriously!)
Movement: Daily.  But I freak out a little if I haven't felt anything for a few hours.
Cravings: I still need to get my sushi on...
Queasy or sick:  Nope.  Not even after eating mass amounts of cookies...
Looking forward to: Quitting my job and being home with my boys before the craziness hits.

~Nichole

22 Weeks

sorry, no belly in this photo...

How far along: 22 weeks
Gender: In the words of the ultrasound-tech-of-the-week: "no boy parts!"
Weight gain:  About 14 pounds.
Maternity clothes: Sort of.
Stretch marks:  Nope. 
Belly button in or out: In. Maybe this one should be "Rings on or off" because it's more likely I'll lose the ability to wear my wedding ring than lose the innards of my belly button...
Sleep: Good, except when my brain won't shut off after my bladder has woken it up.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby girl on another ultrasound and feeling more bonded with her.  (but it's allowed me to hope this could really be real for us, which is scary!)  And being told that because we are so well-researched, we get to see the neonatologist earlier than we normally would.
Worst moment this week: Having the perinatologist list the gamut of tests she wants to run on me and the amount of appointments we'll be having.  And realizing how closed off my body language was and how much I was saying about how I felt about all that... As M said, we might as well get used to it; it's going to be the way it is for us for a long while.
Miss anything: Normal OB visits.
Movement: Every day now!  Hooray!
Cravings:  Still chocolate.  (Why can't it be apples?)
Queasy or sick:  Feeling good!
Looking forward to: Still looking forward to May!

**More about the perinatologist visit: I was relieved they did an ultrasound right off, so that we could all be on the same page and I didn't have to guess at what they knew or didn't know.  Everything still looks good, but baby is definitely transverse (sideways).  She was wiggling up a storm, and we *think* we saw her open her mouth - which would be good news because it would mean her jaw joint is not affected and feeding won't be as much of a problem (fingers crossed!).  With every ultrasound, she gets a new nickname: so far she's been called space cadet (14 wks), little mermaid (19 wks) and now the karate kid (because of the way her legs are positioned: looks a lot like the Karate Kid crane stance - I'll wait while you google that....).  I asked the (very young) rady tech if she'd ever scanned a baby with contractures like ours.  She said what I expected: no. 

Then we went to meet with the nurse and had the first semblance of a normal OB visit that I've had for about, oh, 10 or 12 weeks...  Then came the perinatologist.  Her first words, after introductions all around, were "you'll probably never see me again since I work out of our Scottsdale office," followed immediately by a push for us to get an amniocentesis.  I think that's when I crossed my arms and legs and leaned as far back in my chair as I could.  She then zinged us with news that Arthrogryposis could be just a symptom of another underlying disorder (I seriously thought we were past this?) such as a neuromuscular disorder that could be degenerative, and that an amniocentesis would allow us to be prepared.  Way to scare us, doc!  So, she said she wants us to see the genetic specialist in their office.  I'm going to let him go ahead and try to convince us...

I asked her about turning the baby and attempting a normal (non-cesaerean delivery) and she essentially said she didn't think the positioning of the baby's legs would allow her to turn the way she needs to be born vaginally.  I mentioned the research I'd read about it being better to delivery babies with Arthrogryposis at 38 weeks to get them out and moving sooner.  She looked at me like I suddenly had three eyes.  She basically said there's a question of lung development at 38 weeks and "we don't want to add anything to what we're already looking at".  (Curiously, she looked at me the same way - three eyes! - when I mentioned in-utero therapy to help baby move.)  She was not all bad: she was nice and set us up with the neonatologist that will be attending the delivery about 6-8 weeks sooner than she normally would.  (Go research!)  So, there's that.  I told her our genetic specialist told us he only sees about 5 cases of this a year.  And she said "that sounds about right".  Which means their practice sees only 4-5 a year.  I'm pretty sure she doesn't.

Long (long!) story short: I get to have an extra Rhogam shot, an extra glucose test, a 24-hour urine test, at least one non-stress test, scans and appointments every 2 weeks, and a partridge in a pear tree.  By the end, I was feeling pretty impatient with being treated more like a sick person than I ever have in my life.  {Don't get me wrong: I do believe they want best outcomes for me and baby.  But they are definitely practicing CYA-centered care (and it's not my "A" they want to "C"!).}  Still, I'm glad they're being cautious.  Ultimately, more scans mean more information and more opportunities to make sure this baby girl's doing well.

~Nichole

21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks
Gender: Girl!
Weight gain:  13 pounds.
Maternity clothes: A few.  But still: not if I can help it.  Maybe I should branch out a little though, since my last three pics are essentially starting to look like a uniform!
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In.
Sleep: Good!  (now that I can ignore my bladder...)
Best moment this week: Buying some GIRL clothes: a newborn outfit for the hospital and her first Christmas outfit (clearance!) for next year.
Worst moment this week: Had some spotting and light bleeding early in the week that had me scared and Googling.  I felt especially dumb since I blew off my last appointment with my OB - because I just didn't see the point - and don't see the perinatologist for a few weeks.
Miss anything: Does Hawaii count?
Movement:Yes!  Little wiggles every day.
Cravings:  I eat chocolate like it's going extinct. 
Queasy or sick: I keep forgetting that fast food and I don't mix.  I always feel gross after I eat it.
Looking forward to: MAY! (let's get this girl here safely!)

~Nichole

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks (technically more than half way, since I'll likely be induced or have a c-section at 38 weeks)
Gender: Girl baby!
Weight gain: 11 pounds.
Maternity clothes: Not really. 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In.
Sleep: Much better!
Best moment this week: Getting pretty much settled on a name.  I want to give her two middle names and M thinks it's weird, so that's still up for debate.
Worst moment this week: The hangover/headache from too many Christmas sweets.  (Yes, there IS such a thing!)
Miss anything: Not much.
Movement: Feeling movement more regularly. :)  Signed up for yoga and need to start walking to try and do what's called "in utero therapy" to get her moving.
Cravings:  I really want some sushi. 
Queasy or sick: Thankfully no.
Looking forward to: New Year's Eve game night!



~Nichole