Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Pregnancy - 18 Weeks
We are officially on Week 18 of our pregnancy! Thus we start the fifth month. How crazy is that?! I have a feeling things only get more exciting from here. I'm finally starting to show and my "bump" is looking more and more like a baby bump rather than fat. I am very excited for what's to come next. And a little nervous... We learned two days ago that our baby is indeed a little boy and that he is very active! I've been feeling little twitches in the area where baby is, and I'm sure it's all in my head, but I wonder if I'm starting to feel him move. We can't feel anything from the outside and I've never felt a baby move inside me before, so I'm not completely sure if I'm feeling him move or if it's my stomach doing weird things. Maybe I'm crazy. I can't wait to feel him kick, though! I continue to have symptoms of pregnancy. You can ask my husband how absentminded I have been lately, and my back has started to ache and I'm getting more frequent headaches now. The nasal congestion and sensitive gums have been "fun" symptoms, too.
Anyhow, that's not what we're here for today! Today we are here to learn about Week 18!
-------------------------
"At 5-1/2 inches long and about 5 ounces in weight (as much as that chicken breast you're having for dinner, but a lot cuter), your baby is filling out nicely and getting large enough that you might even be feeling those twists, rolls, kicks, and punches he or she is perfecting. Another set of skills your baby is mastering now is yawning and hiccupping (you might even begin to feel those hiccups soon!). And your one-of-a-kind baby is truly one of a kind now, complete with unique fingerprints on his or her fingertips and toes."
-text from What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 10
-photo from http://www.babycenter.com
Our baby is actually 8 ounces right now, which is where he's supposed to be at 19 weeks. But the nurse said he's right where he should be, so I'm not real worried about it!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the post!
Check back next week for more!
-Aubrey
Anyhow, that's not what we're here for today! Today we are here to learn about Week 18!
-------------------------
"At 5-1/2 inches long and about 5 ounces in weight (as much as that chicken breast you're having for dinner, but a lot cuter), your baby is filling out nicely and getting large enough that you might even be feeling those twists, rolls, kicks, and punches he or she is perfecting. Another set of skills your baby is mastering now is yawning and hiccupping (you might even begin to feel those hiccups soon!). And your one-of-a-kind baby is truly one of a kind now, complete with unique fingerprints on his or her fingertips and toes."
-text from What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 10
-photo from http://www.babycenter.comOur baby is actually 8 ounces right now, which is where he's supposed to be at 19 weeks. But the nurse said he's right where he should be, so I'm not real worried about it!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the post!
Check back next week for more!
-Aubrey
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
IT'S A BOY!!!
Ryan and I are very pleased to announce that yesterday when we saw the perinatologist, we discovered that our baby is a boy!
We are very, very excited! Neither of us felt real strongly one way or the other as to whether we wanted a boy or a girl. We were just glad to learn that our baby is very active and healthy right now.
Our baby's heartbeat was 161 bpm at the appointment yesterday. He weighs 8 oz., which is right where he's supposed to be. Our nurse told us that he is more active than most, which is fine (she wasn't worried about it--she told us some babies are just more active than others and that some are less active and just sit there the whole time). He was not shy at all! Our little boy peed on screen for us, too, LOL! That was interesting to see! We got some pictures and we also paid to get a DVD of the ultrasound.
After the nurse showed us all the fun stuff, our perinatologist, Dr. Glenn Schemmer, came in to check out other things. He showed us the four chambers of the heart and we got to see with red and blue coloring how the blood was flowing through the heart. Everything looks just fine at this point, said the doc. He also showed us the kidneys and said that they looked fine, and both he and the nurse checked the baby's lip for cleft palate. So far, everything looks great!
After the appointment, we went to Partyland and bought some blue "It's a Boy!" bugglegum cigars and delivered them to everyone in our family. Everyone seems to be excited--most of all my sister, Brooke! She really wanted our baby to be a boy.
We have a name that we both like, but I want to finish going through our book to be sure we don't find something else that we like better. And just so everyone knows, we are not planning on telling what our little boy's name is until he is here!
Anyhow, here are the pictures we got yesterday. If I can figure out how to post the recording, I will do that probably tomorrow. Ryan and I have not even had a chance to watch it yet! And remember to check back tomorrow for the 18 week update!
IT'S A BOY!!!!!
Closer up proof that he's a boy, but it's a little more blurry!
Our little boy's foot! So cute!!
An arm!
Our little boy's profile!
Thank you all for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the post!
-Aubrey
P.S. This is doctor appointment #9!
We are very, very excited! Neither of us felt real strongly one way or the other as to whether we wanted a boy or a girl. We were just glad to learn that our baby is very active and healthy right now.
Our baby's heartbeat was 161 bpm at the appointment yesterday. He weighs 8 oz., which is right where he's supposed to be. Our nurse told us that he is more active than most, which is fine (she wasn't worried about it--she told us some babies are just more active than others and that some are less active and just sit there the whole time). He was not shy at all! Our little boy peed on screen for us, too, LOL! That was interesting to see! We got some pictures and we also paid to get a DVD of the ultrasound.
After the nurse showed us all the fun stuff, our perinatologist, Dr. Glenn Schemmer, came in to check out other things. He showed us the four chambers of the heart and we got to see with red and blue coloring how the blood was flowing through the heart. Everything looks just fine at this point, said the doc. He also showed us the kidneys and said that they looked fine, and both he and the nurse checked the baby's lip for cleft palate. So far, everything looks great!
After the appointment, we went to Partyland and bought some blue "It's a Boy!" bugglegum cigars and delivered them to everyone in our family. Everyone seems to be excited--most of all my sister, Brooke! She really wanted our baby to be a boy.
We have a name that we both like, but I want to finish going through our book to be sure we don't find something else that we like better. And just so everyone knows, we are not planning on telling what our little boy's name is until he is here!
Anyhow, here are the pictures we got yesterday. If I can figure out how to post the recording, I will do that probably tomorrow. Ryan and I have not even had a chance to watch it yet! And remember to check back tomorrow for the 18 week update!
IT'S A BOY!!!!!
Closer up proof that he's a boy, but it's a little more blurry!
Our little boy's foot! So cute!!
An arm!
Our little boy's profile!
Thank you all for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the post!
-Aubrey
P.S. This is doctor appointment #9!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Random Update
So, I've been getting phone calls from a registered nurse named Denise from Walgreens lately... After ignoring the third call from her, I finally decided just to call her back and figure out what the heck she wanted.
Turns out my insurance company contacted her because I am a high risk pregnancy and they wanted to have me enrolled in the Walgreens Maternity Support Program. I consented and thus had a 35 minute conversation with the woman about how my pregnancy has gone so far and hearing advice from her. It was interesting. I learned a couple new things, which is why there is this post--I figured I'd share what I've learned with anyone who is interested!
One thing Denise talked to me about was hospitals. I've wanted to have our baby at the American Fork Hospital because that's where I was born and where all my siblings were born. That's the hospital I always thought I'd be at. But, apparently the American Fork Hospital only has a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and because of my diabetes, it would be best for me and the baby to be at a hospital where there is a Level 3 NICU. So, I guess we will be having our baby in Provo at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
I also learned that often times, babies of diabetic mothers often have to be put on IV's with glucose in them for a few days after birth to wean them off of sugar. I realize it's necessary, but it's so weird to think of sugar as a drug to be weaned from.
I was told by Denise that perinatologists often have diabetic mothers come in for ultrasounds every two weeks once they reach 28 weeks in their pregnancy and that by 34 weeks, there are typically one or two ultrasounds performed every week. We shall see if my perinatologist does this... At 22 weeks I'm supposed to have a fetal echocardiogram to see how the baby's heart is doing, since babies of diabetic mothers have a high risk of developing heart problems (I already knew about this from my last appointment with the perinatologist).
Denise asked me what my blood type is and I have no idea. She told me that if it is RH- they will make me get some sort of shot at 28 weeks... I'm hoping I'm not RH-...
Finally, I learned that I need to upgrade my prenatal vitamins. The ones I've been taking to not have DHA, and I need to be on some that do have DHA to help the baby's brain and eye development. So, I plan to do that!
For enrolling in the program, I also get a free book. They gave me my choice of What to Expect When You're Expecting or What to Expect the First Year. I chose the First Year since I already have the other one...
Anyhow, that is what I learned! I hope those of you who chose to read this post enjoyed it! My next post will be on Monday when we have the next ultrasound. Cross your fingers for us to be lucky enough to find out the sex of the baby!!
-Aubrey
Turns out my insurance company contacted her because I am a high risk pregnancy and they wanted to have me enrolled in the Walgreens Maternity Support Program. I consented and thus had a 35 minute conversation with the woman about how my pregnancy has gone so far and hearing advice from her. It was interesting. I learned a couple new things, which is why there is this post--I figured I'd share what I've learned with anyone who is interested!
One thing Denise talked to me about was hospitals. I've wanted to have our baby at the American Fork Hospital because that's where I was born and where all my siblings were born. That's the hospital I always thought I'd be at. But, apparently the American Fork Hospital only has a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and because of my diabetes, it would be best for me and the baby to be at a hospital where there is a Level 3 NICU. So, I guess we will be having our baby in Provo at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
I also learned that often times, babies of diabetic mothers often have to be put on IV's with glucose in them for a few days after birth to wean them off of sugar. I realize it's necessary, but it's so weird to think of sugar as a drug to be weaned from.
I was told by Denise that perinatologists often have diabetic mothers come in for ultrasounds every two weeks once they reach 28 weeks in their pregnancy and that by 34 weeks, there are typically one or two ultrasounds performed every week. We shall see if my perinatologist does this... At 22 weeks I'm supposed to have a fetal echocardiogram to see how the baby's heart is doing, since babies of diabetic mothers have a high risk of developing heart problems (I already knew about this from my last appointment with the perinatologist).
Denise asked me what my blood type is and I have no idea. She told me that if it is RH- they will make me get some sort of shot at 28 weeks... I'm hoping I'm not RH-...
Finally, I learned that I need to upgrade my prenatal vitamins. The ones I've been taking to not have DHA, and I need to be on some that do have DHA to help the baby's brain and eye development. So, I plan to do that!
For enrolling in the program, I also get a free book. They gave me my choice of What to Expect When You're Expecting or What to Expect the First Year. I chose the First Year since I already have the other one...
Anyhow, that is what I learned! I hope those of you who chose to read this post enjoyed it! My next post will be on Monday when we have the next ultrasound. Cross your fingers for us to be lucky enough to find out the sex of the baby!!
-Aubrey
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Pregnancy - 17 Weeks
Week 17, here we are! Ryan and I are super excited to be this far along in our first pregnancy! We are hoping that we can find out the baby's sex at our next ultrasound on Monday! So check back then to find out if we found out! In the mean time, enjoy the weekly update!
-------------------------
"Take a look at your hand. Your baby is about palm-size now, with a crown-to-tump length of 5 inches and an approximate weight of 5 (or more) ounces. Body fat is beginning to form (baby's fat, that is, though yours is probably forming pretty quickly these days, too), but your little one is still quite skinny, with skin that is practically translucent. This week, your baby is all about practice, practice, practice in preparation for birth. One important skill your baby is sharpening now: sucking and swallowing--to get ready for that first (and second... and third) suckle at breast or bottle. Your baby's heart rate is regulated by the brain (no more spontaneous beats) and clocks in at 140 to 150 beats per minute (roughly rwice your own heart rate)." - What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 9
-photo from http://www.babycenter.com
-Aubrey
-------------------------
"Take a look at your hand. Your baby is about palm-size now, with a crown-to-tump length of 5 inches and an approximate weight of 5 (or more) ounces. Body fat is beginning to form (baby's fat, that is, though yours is probably forming pretty quickly these days, too), but your little one is still quite skinny, with skin that is practically translucent. This week, your baby is all about practice, practice, practice in preparation for birth. One important skill your baby is sharpening now: sucking and swallowing--to get ready for that first (and second... and third) suckle at breast or bottle. Your baby's heart rate is regulated by the brain (no more spontaneous beats) and clocks in at 140 to 150 beats per minute (roughly rwice your own heart rate)." - What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 9
-photo from http://www.babycenter.com
-Aubrey
Monday, February 15, 2010
Last Appointment with Dr. Willis
I have found myself to be increasingly moody over the past week or so... Perhaps this had a hand in why I didn't enjoy my doctor's appointment today. Also, I was a little edgy because I called them last week about the bill I mentioned in my last post and chewed them out about sending my personal information out to people besides myself. The woman who called me back left me a message and didn't even address all my concerns. So I was annoyed to have to be around these people who I simply did not think were at all competent.
We saw Dr. Willis for what is likely to be our last appointment with him today. Not much happened at the appointment. The nurse said that there was sugar in my urine sample (and I was annoyed that she had to mention it because a - she said she knew I was a diabetic and b - I had tested on my way to the appointment and already knew I was running a little high at that particular moment). The doctor said the baby seems to be growing at the right speed and that everything seems normal. The baby's heartbeat was 142 today, but we didn't get to listen to it for more than a few seconds.
Dr. Willis said that my perinatologist called him a few weeks ago (remember my ultrasound appointment when I started going into shock on the table?) and that he had recommended I see an OB called Dr. Glenn. I asked Dr. Willis if he delivered at the AF Hospital, and he didn't know. So he said if I want to deliver at AF, to ask the perinatologist at my appointment next Monday and that if I don't end up liking any OB's they have me see, to come back to him and he will just handle my pregnancy.
Anyhow, that's enough about my appointment today. Keep in tune for the weekly update on Wednesday and our next ultrasound on Monday!
-Aubrey
P.S. This is doctor appointment #8!
We saw Dr. Willis for what is likely to be our last appointment with him today. Not much happened at the appointment. The nurse said that there was sugar in my urine sample (and I was annoyed that she had to mention it because a - she said she knew I was a diabetic and b - I had tested on my way to the appointment and already knew I was running a little high at that particular moment). The doctor said the baby seems to be growing at the right speed and that everything seems normal. The baby's heartbeat was 142 today, but we didn't get to listen to it for more than a few seconds.
Dr. Willis said that my perinatologist called him a few weeks ago (remember my ultrasound appointment when I started going into shock on the table?) and that he had recommended I see an OB called Dr. Glenn. I asked Dr. Willis if he delivered at the AF Hospital, and he didn't know. So he said if I want to deliver at AF, to ask the perinatologist at my appointment next Monday and that if I don't end up liking any OB's they have me see, to come back to him and he will just handle my pregnancy.
Anyhow, that's enough about my appointment today. Keep in tune for the weekly update on Wednesday and our next ultrasound on Monday!
-Aubrey
P.S. This is doctor appointment #8!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Pregnancy - 16 Weeks
We are officially at 16 Weeks!!
Here's the weekly update!! Enjoy!!
-------------------------
"With a whopping weight of anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces and a length (crown to rump) of 4 to 5 inches, your baby is growing up fast. Muscles are getting stronger (you'll start to feel movement in a few weeks), especially the back muscles, enabling your little one to straighten out even more. Your baby-to-be is looking more and more adorable, with a face that has eyes (complete with eyebrows and eyelashes) and ears in the right spots. What's more, those eyes are finally working! Yes, it's true: Your baby's eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. Your baby is also becoming more sensitive to touch. In fact, he or she will even squirm if you poke your belly (though you probably won't be able to feel those squirms just yet)."
-text from What to Expect When You're Expecting
-photo from http://www.babycenter.com
Hope you all enjoyed the update! I'm planning on posting something for Valentine's Day, and if not then, check back Monday for the update from our doctor's appointment!
Hope everyone is doing well!
-Aubrey
Here's the weekly update!! Enjoy!!
-------------------------
"With a whopping weight of anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces and a length (crown to rump) of 4 to 5 inches, your baby is growing up fast. Muscles are getting stronger (you'll start to feel movement in a few weeks), especially the back muscles, enabling your little one to straighten out even more. Your baby-to-be is looking more and more adorable, with a face that has eyes (complete with eyebrows and eyelashes) and ears in the right spots. What's more, those eyes are finally working! Yes, it's true: Your baby's eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. Your baby is also becoming more sensitive to touch. In fact, he or she will even squirm if you poke your belly (though you probably won't be able to feel those squirms just yet)."
-text from What to Expect When You're Expecting
-photo from http://www.babycenter.com
Hope you all enjoyed the update! I'm planning on posting something for Valentine's Day, and if not then, check back Monday for the update from our doctor's appointment!
Hope everyone is doing well!
-Aubrey
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Pregnancy - 15 Weeks
Here we are at 15 weeks!
Thank goodness we have had no doctor's appointments this week, but we have been very busy with other things and we have had yet another incident of me almost going into shock...
We tried to order diabetes supplies on Friday from the only diabetes supply company I have ever worked with. Unfortuneatly, they informed me that they do not work with my insurance company (United Health Care), so we had to find a different company. We found one called the Diabetes Specialty Center. They work with both my and Ryan's insurance companies, so we should be double covered. They did require a prescription, however, so it took until today for them to get prescriptions from my doctor. And it turns out they can't supply my test strips, so we have to order those through Walgreens.
We also have been frustrated with my doctor's office. As I've mentioned before, it turns out that Dr. Willis will not be delivering our baby. However, his office went ahead and billed ONE of our insurance companies for our entire pregnancy. They didn't bill our second insurance company. Additionally, they addressed the bill to my dad and sent it to his address rather than billing it to us and sending it to us. We're a bit upset about it. I have changed my information at that office probably six times in the past two years and they ALWAYS seem to screw something up. And for some reason, though I am married and living AWAY from my parents, my parents ALWAYS end up with information from my doctor--bill, pap smear results... It's incredibly, incredibly frustrating.
Anyhow, we also filed our taxes today using TurboTax. We're expecting a big refund and are excited to pay off all of our credit cards, get ALL of Ryan's dental work done, and save the rest for the baby. Maybe we'll go celebrate with dinner, too!
Hmm... Oh, yeah, my near-shock episode... On Saturday at work, I had one of my regular customers in the store. We saw that something was wrong with a few of her pictures, so I told her to hang out at the counter for a couple minutes and I'd fix them for her. So I walked to the machine and started trying to fix and print them. All of a sudden, my leg started spasming. This is a sign of my blood sugar dropping drastically... So I thought I had all of her pictures fixed and started printing them. At this point, so many muscles were spasming and I was worried customers would see and think I was a druggie or something, so I walked behind my counter where no one could see me. As soon as I got behind the counter I collapsed. I couldn't stand up and I wasn't thinking straight. I knew it was almost 3:00, so I kept telling myself, "Jon will be here in a minute, he can finish the order for me." So Jon and Tony (they're the other two photo technicians I work with, by the way) walked behind the counter at the same time. I called out and asked them to finish the order for me. Tony jumped on finishing the order while Jon tried to figure out what was wrong with me, just sitting there on the floor. Once he figured out what was wrong, he hurried and bought me a juice. He handed it to me and as I started to drink it, my arm muscles were spasming. So he helped me hold the bottle while I drank it. It was kind of awkward, but I wouldn't have made it without him, so I'm thankful.
I'm also thankful for my husband. He has been so great lately. I've been so beat and feeling sick and he has just taken care of everything. He's tried so hard to clean the house for me and has done such a good job. He's been cooking for us every night. He takes me out to do fun things when I have long days. He caters to me! He makes me feel pretty when I feel (and look) like I'm getting fat. He's just been amazing.
Anyway, this has been a really long post... I guess I should get on to the 15 Week Update! Enjoy and check back for more next week!
-------------------------
"Your baby, who measures 4-1/2 inches this week and weighs around 2 to 3 ounces, is about the size of a navel orange. Looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams, his or her ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck), and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face. By now your baby has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb. But that's not all your baby can do now. He or she can also breathe (or at least make breathing movements), suck, and swallow--all in preparation for the big debut and life outside the womb. And though it's unlikely that you'll be feeling any movements from your little one this week, your baby is certainly getting a workout--kicking, flexing, and moving those arms and legs." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 9
-http://www.babycenter.com
-Aubrey
Thank goodness we have had no doctor's appointments this week, but we have been very busy with other things and we have had yet another incident of me almost going into shock...
We tried to order diabetes supplies on Friday from the only diabetes supply company I have ever worked with. Unfortuneatly, they informed me that they do not work with my insurance company (United Health Care), so we had to find a different company. We found one called the Diabetes Specialty Center. They work with both my and Ryan's insurance companies, so we should be double covered. They did require a prescription, however, so it took until today for them to get prescriptions from my doctor. And it turns out they can't supply my test strips, so we have to order those through Walgreens.
We also have been frustrated with my doctor's office. As I've mentioned before, it turns out that Dr. Willis will not be delivering our baby. However, his office went ahead and billed ONE of our insurance companies for our entire pregnancy. They didn't bill our second insurance company. Additionally, they addressed the bill to my dad and sent it to his address rather than billing it to us and sending it to us. We're a bit upset about it. I have changed my information at that office probably six times in the past two years and they ALWAYS seem to screw something up. And for some reason, though I am married and living AWAY from my parents, my parents ALWAYS end up with information from my doctor--bill, pap smear results... It's incredibly, incredibly frustrating.
Anyhow, we also filed our taxes today using TurboTax. We're expecting a big refund and are excited to pay off all of our credit cards, get ALL of Ryan's dental work done, and save the rest for the baby. Maybe we'll go celebrate with dinner, too!
Hmm... Oh, yeah, my near-shock episode... On Saturday at work, I had one of my regular customers in the store. We saw that something was wrong with a few of her pictures, so I told her to hang out at the counter for a couple minutes and I'd fix them for her. So I walked to the machine and started trying to fix and print them. All of a sudden, my leg started spasming. This is a sign of my blood sugar dropping drastically... So I thought I had all of her pictures fixed and started printing them. At this point, so many muscles were spasming and I was worried customers would see and think I was a druggie or something, so I walked behind my counter where no one could see me. As soon as I got behind the counter I collapsed. I couldn't stand up and I wasn't thinking straight. I knew it was almost 3:00, so I kept telling myself, "Jon will be here in a minute, he can finish the order for me." So Jon and Tony (they're the other two photo technicians I work with, by the way) walked behind the counter at the same time. I called out and asked them to finish the order for me. Tony jumped on finishing the order while Jon tried to figure out what was wrong with me, just sitting there on the floor. Once he figured out what was wrong, he hurried and bought me a juice. He handed it to me and as I started to drink it, my arm muscles were spasming. So he helped me hold the bottle while I drank it. It was kind of awkward, but I wouldn't have made it without him, so I'm thankful.
I'm also thankful for my husband. He has been so great lately. I've been so beat and feeling sick and he has just taken care of everything. He's tried so hard to clean the house for me and has done such a good job. He's been cooking for us every night. He takes me out to do fun things when I have long days. He caters to me! He makes me feel pretty when I feel (and look) like I'm getting fat. He's just been amazing.
Anyway, this has been a really long post... I guess I should get on to the 15 Week Update! Enjoy and check back for more next week!
-------------------------
"Your baby, who measures 4-1/2 inches this week and weighs around 2 to 3 ounces, is about the size of a navel orange. Looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams, his or her ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck), and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face. By now your baby has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb. But that's not all your baby can do now. He or she can also breathe (or at least make breathing movements), suck, and swallow--all in preparation for the big debut and life outside the womb. And though it's unlikely that you'll be feeling any movements from your little one this week, your baby is certainly getting a workout--kicking, flexing, and moving those arms and legs." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, Chapter 9
-http://www.babycenter.com
-Aubrey
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