Botanical Garden
I've had such an amazing day. Today started out with my husband and I going to the Botanical Garden. It was breathtaking! It is set on 155 acres and has over 30 distinct gardens. I can't wait to go back again! Next month their butterfly garden opens for the season. It's an enclosed garden full of butterfly's and when you go in they land all over you! That will make for an awesome experience. Being at the Botanical Garden really reminds you of God's creativity and His love for us. I can't rave enough about how beautiful and relaxing it was there. Next we went and checked out a restaurant that we hadn't been to before and it was so good. Now I think we're going to settle in for a relaxing afternoon nap. I love days like this!
28 Week Photo
I didn't include it in my previous post, so here's my 28w4d photo :). I don't know if it reflects in the picture, but I definitely feel bigger this week and have gotten comments from my family that I either look like I'm going to deliver next week or I'm having twins. I don't necessarily agree with those comments, but I'll take them to mean that I've gotten bigger.
Oh and if you're curious as to what 41 lbs of pregnancy weight gain looks like, here's a reminder of what I looked like at 15 weeks (look at how little my baby bump was). Don't worry skinny face you will be back some day.
Oh and if you're curious as to what 41 lbs of pregnancy weight gain looks like, here's a reminder of what I looked like at 15 weeks (look at how little my baby bump was). Don't worry skinny face you will be back some day.
What A Great Day!
My little boy has been kicking me all day. While it's not always comfortable, it's amazing and I love it so much. I also got my 28 week growth scan a few hours ago and I'm still glowing!
Cor.ben is doing great and is measuring at 3 lbs. He's currently in the head down birth position. While this can change they told me that he will probably stay this way. I was surprised to find out that I have an anterior placenta. I always thought that those with anterior placenta's had a hard time feeling movement, but I've felt quickening since 13 weeks. I guess even though it's anterior it's still positioned where it's not in the way. The tech was really great and gave me some "extra" ultrasound shots and explained everything to us. The highlights were getting to see his face and how cute he is and also during the ultrasound I felt him kick and he was pushing up the wand and we were able to watch him in action on the screen. So cool!
I'm showing a few of the sonograms from today, but unfortunately they aren't very good quality and I worsened them by labeling them to death. What can I say, I'm a proud mommy and I want to show my boy off to the world. I think we're going to go get a nice 3D sonogram within the next week or two.
Cor.ben is doing great and is measuring at 3 lbs. He's currently in the head down birth position. While this can change they told me that he will probably stay this way. I was surprised to find out that I have an anterior placenta. I always thought that those with anterior placenta's had a hard time feeling movement, but I've felt quickening since 13 weeks. I guess even though it's anterior it's still positioned where it's not in the way. The tech was really great and gave me some "extra" ultrasound shots and explained everything to us. The highlights were getting to see his face and how cute he is and also during the ultrasound I felt him kick and he was pushing up the wand and we were able to watch him in action on the screen. So cool!
I'm showing a few of the sonograms from today, but unfortunately they aren't very good quality and I worsened them by labeling them to death. What can I say, I'm a proud mommy and I want to show my boy off to the world. I think we're going to go get a nice 3D sonogram within the next week or two.
Aghhh! What A Frustrating Appointment!
I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again... I'm OVER the Naval Hospital! I had an appointment yesterday and as usual they sent a medical student in first where I had to repeat my entire medical history, detail my July ICU stay, and how Lupus effects me. I'm so tired of going through this each and every time I go to the doctors, which in my case is every 2-3 weeks. I don't mind every once in awhile, but every time is really annoying. After I saw sir medical student I once again got stuck seeing a resident, which of course was someone I've never seen before, who also wants me to repeat EVERYTHING with my history. Beyond annoying!
The most frustrating part is I was suppose to get a growth scan at this appointment and once a month there after. This is something that has been discussed at every single appointment since I started being seen in the high risk clinic. OF COURSE they didn't put me down on the list with their ultrasound department like they were suppose to and they couldn't fit me in anytime soon. I'm so angry and so livid. First of all I was really looking forward to getting to see my baby again, but that is also one of the purposes of me being seen there (Lupus can cause IUGR). What is the point in being seen in high risk if they don't do what they are suppose to in monitoring me to see if Lupus is effecting my pregnancy?!?!? So, I had to go to the radiology department and see if they could get me in for an ultrasound and they couldn't schedule me until next Monday! UGGGGGGH! What a disappointment.
Immediately after my appointment I went to the doctors office that I want to switch to and it looks like everything is going to work out with that. I'll have a consistent doctor, a consistent medical plan, and I'll get to deliver at a top notch hospital instead of the business minded Naval Hospital. I'll be seeing them next week! YAY! This is such a load of stress off of me. I can't even explain how happy this makes me. Plus it's good for you guys because you won't have to hear me complain about my visits anymore!
However, I do want to throw out some good news about my appointment. It looks like my weight gain is finally slowing down. Whew, I was really getting nervous. This time I only gained 5 lbs in 3 weeks. My current grand total is 41 lbs.
Yesterday afternoon I was thinking about how upset, angry, and disappointed I was and I realized that even on my worst day I am so incredibly blessed by the Lord. If you think about how many people have so little and are truly suffering and this is their daily life, my trivial complaints are absolutely nothing and I feel so shallow complaining about them. Even on my absolute worst bottom of the barrel day I am more blessed and more fortunate than some people on their very best day. I pray that this is something I can keep in mind more often and express my gratitude and have it reflect in my attitude.
**UPDATE: While I was typing this I called the radiology department to check for cancellations and they were able to get me in tomorrow afternoon! YAY! Thank you Lord! I'm so excited and happy!**
The most frustrating part is I was suppose to get a growth scan at this appointment and once a month there after. This is something that has been discussed at every single appointment since I started being seen in the high risk clinic. OF COURSE they didn't put me down on the list with their ultrasound department like they were suppose to and they couldn't fit me in anytime soon. I'm so angry and so livid. First of all I was really looking forward to getting to see my baby again, but that is also one of the purposes of me being seen there (Lupus can cause IUGR). What is the point in being seen in high risk if they don't do what they are suppose to in monitoring me to see if Lupus is effecting my pregnancy?!?!? So, I had to go to the radiology department and see if they could get me in for an ultrasound and they couldn't schedule me until next Monday! UGGGGGGH! What a disappointment.
Immediately after my appointment I went to the doctors office that I want to switch to and it looks like everything is going to work out with that. I'll have a consistent doctor, a consistent medical plan, and I'll get to deliver at a top notch hospital instead of the business minded Naval Hospital. I'll be seeing them next week! YAY! This is such a load of stress off of me. I can't even explain how happy this makes me. Plus it's good for you guys because you won't have to hear me complain about my visits anymore!
However, I do want to throw out some good news about my appointment. It looks like my weight gain is finally slowing down. Whew, I was really getting nervous. This time I only gained 5 lbs in 3 weeks. My current grand total is 41 lbs.
Yesterday afternoon I was thinking about how upset, angry, and disappointed I was and I realized that even on my worst day I am so incredibly blessed by the Lord. If you think about how many people have so little and are truly suffering and this is their daily life, my trivial complaints are absolutely nothing and I feel so shallow complaining about them. Even on my absolute worst bottom of the barrel day I am more blessed and more fortunate than some people on their very best day. I pray that this is something I can keep in mind more often and express my gratitude and have it reflect in my attitude.
**UPDATE: While I was typing this I called the radiology department to check for cancellations and they were able to get me in tomorrow afternoon! YAY! Thank you Lord! I'm so excited and happy!**
An Exciting Week
This week is only half way over, but it has been packed full and pretty exciting! My Chicco travel system got here today (thanks Mom & D!). While it may seem silly to be so excited over a car seat and stroller I can't help it. I am in LOVE with this travel system and have been drooling over it since way before I became pregnant. I can't wait to see my little guy in here!
I also had the dreaded 1 hr GTT (glucose tolerance test) yesterday. I was so nervous before I went because I am absolutely horrible about drinking nasty stuff and I usually feel really sick when I have too much sugar. I was pleasantly surprised and the drink tasted exactly like orange soda and while I felt a little funny I didn't get sick at all. Hopefully I passed!
We also had our first class in the series that we signed up for. It was "Budgeting for Baby" and we got some really useful information and even better we got a bunch of free baby stuff from Gerber (2 nighties, 2 bibs, 3 burp clothes, a receiving blanket, 2 booties, 2 crib sheets, 5 onesies, and a hooded towel & washcloth set) and also a really nice handmade blanket. This Saturday we're taking our "Childbirth Prep" class. I'm really looking forward to that one.
I'm also excited because I think that I am going to be able to switch doctors and hospitals after all. You can see some of what I've dealt with here and here. The basic gist is that I get seen at the high risk clinic at our Naval Hospital. Every time I go I see a different doctor, usually a resident who doesn't know anything but likes to pretend like he does instead of asking someone who can really help me, the "game plan" for my treatment constantly changes, stuff that they should be doing to monitor my lupus they don't, and they have an extremely high c-section rate and treat laboring mothers like it's a business (think get 'em in, get 'em out) and it is common practice for them to immediately start pitocen. The other month they delivered 400 babies and were so full that some women had to deliver in the ER. This is not the experience that I want! I didn't think that I could switch my insurance plan to one where I could choose a civilian doctor and hospital due to cost and my other medical issues, but found out this week that it is possible. So I've been working on getting done what I need to in order to schedule with a new doctor that I found. I hope that it works out.
Today we also checked out and interviewed a pediatricians office that we were really interested in. I don't think that they are going to be a fit for us, but it was still exciting to get that process started.
I have my next check up appointment next week and I'm really excited because we're getting another ultrasound! YAY! I can't wait to see how Cor.ben is doing and how handsome he is :). I've been doing really well so far with this pregnancy, but this week I've had a headache that won't die, I've been really sleepy, and my joints are killing me (especially my hips, OUCH!). I don't know if this is regular pregnancy stuff, but I'm really hoping so. It could also be a lupus flare, which I have been hoping to avoid. I really don't want to have to start high dose steroids.
Until next time...
I also had the dreaded 1 hr GTT (glucose tolerance test) yesterday. I was so nervous before I went because I am absolutely horrible about drinking nasty stuff and I usually feel really sick when I have too much sugar. I was pleasantly surprised and the drink tasted exactly like orange soda and while I felt a little funny I didn't get sick at all. Hopefully I passed!
We also had our first class in the series that we signed up for. It was "Budgeting for Baby" and we got some really useful information and even better we got a bunch of free baby stuff from Gerber (2 nighties, 2 bibs, 3 burp clothes, a receiving blanket, 2 booties, 2 crib sheets, 5 onesies, and a hooded towel & washcloth set) and also a really nice handmade blanket. This Saturday we're taking our "Childbirth Prep" class. I'm really looking forward to that one.
I'm also excited because I think that I am going to be able to switch doctors and hospitals after all. You can see some of what I've dealt with here and here. The basic gist is that I get seen at the high risk clinic at our Naval Hospital. Every time I go I see a different doctor, usually a resident who doesn't know anything but likes to pretend like he does instead of asking someone who can really help me, the "game plan" for my treatment constantly changes, stuff that they should be doing to monitor my lupus they don't, and they have an extremely high c-section rate and treat laboring mothers like it's a business (think get 'em in, get 'em out) and it is common practice for them to immediately start pitocen. The other month they delivered 400 babies and were so full that some women had to deliver in the ER. This is not the experience that I want! I didn't think that I could switch my insurance plan to one where I could choose a civilian doctor and hospital due to cost and my other medical issues, but found out this week that it is possible. So I've been working on getting done what I need to in order to schedule with a new doctor that I found. I hope that it works out.
Today we also checked out and interviewed a pediatricians office that we were really interested in. I don't think that they are going to be a fit for us, but it was still exciting to get that process started.
I have my next check up appointment next week and I'm really excited because we're getting another ultrasound! YAY! I can't wait to see how Cor.ben is doing and how handsome he is :). I've been doing really well so far with this pregnancy, but this week I've had a headache that won't die, I've been really sleepy, and my joints are killing me (especially my hips, OUCH!). I don't know if this is regular pregnancy stuff, but I'm really hoping so. It could also be a lupus flare, which I have been hoping to avoid. I really don't want to have to start high dose steroids.
Until next time...
26 Weeks
Woohoo, one week away from being in my 3rd trimester! That's so exciting!!!! So here I am at 26 weeks:
My little boy is definitely becoming more consistently active. The other night he was moving and kicking for almost an hour straight! It was so crazy! You could see rolling across my belly and big kicks and several times he was directly under my belly button and was pushing it straight up. Apparently he wants to give a shout out to the blogging community because he's kicking me right now. This is by far the most amazing thing I have experienced in my life and I'm so grateful to the Lord. Now every time I go out I get someone commenting on my pregnancy or asking me when I'm due. I love it! It's definitely better than just the stares and smiles I was getting before when people were probably wondering if I was pregnant or if I just had a big meal, haha.
I'm really excited because today I was chatting with an acquaintance and found out that she's about 20 days behind me (I didn't even realize she was pregnant until recently), her husband is also in the Navy, and she also has Lupus and sees the same rheumatologist that I do! It's so neat to find someone that has several similarities with me. Oh, haha, and she almost named her son Cor.ben. I'm hoping we can chat some more later and develop a support system. That's so important when you're a military wife (it's an isolating experience) and when you have something like Lupus.
Today I hit up Barnes & Noble, one of my favorite places to spend a day, and picked up two great books. The first one is an alternative to the Bradley Method and is called "Birthing From Within" by Pam England. I don't know yet if it's better or worse than the Bradley Method, but I picked it up because I really like the advice given on preparation for labor and the labor experience itself. The other book I got was "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave. I won't get into or debate the vaccination issue because it's very multifaceted and everyone has their own ideas and should do what they think is best, but I will say that knowledge truly is power. People (for the most part) tend to research everything that they provide for their children, from what toys are best, what they need nutritionally, techniques on raising them, etc., so vaccines shouldn't be any different. I personally want to know everything I can about what is being given to my child and this book really provides a lot of knowledge. I can't wait to dive into it!
My little boy is definitely becoming more consistently active. The other night he was moving and kicking for almost an hour straight! It was so crazy! You could see rolling across my belly and big kicks and several times he was directly under my belly button and was pushing it straight up. Apparently he wants to give a shout out to the blogging community because he's kicking me right now. This is by far the most amazing thing I have experienced in my life and I'm so grateful to the Lord. Now every time I go out I get someone commenting on my pregnancy or asking me when I'm due. I love it! It's definitely better than just the stares and smiles I was getting before when people were probably wondering if I was pregnant or if I just had a big meal, haha. I'm really excited because today I was chatting with an acquaintance and found out that she's about 20 days behind me (I didn't even realize she was pregnant until recently), her husband is also in the Navy, and she also has Lupus and sees the same rheumatologist that I do! It's so neat to find someone that has several similarities with me. Oh, haha, and she almost named her son Cor.ben. I'm hoping we can chat some more later and develop a support system. That's so important when you're a military wife (it's an isolating experience) and when you have something like Lupus.
Today I hit up Barnes & Noble, one of my favorite places to spend a day, and picked up two great books. The first one is an alternative to the Bradley Method and is called "Birthing From Within" by Pam England. I don't know yet if it's better or worse than the Bradley Method, but I picked it up because I really like the advice given on preparation for labor and the labor experience itself. The other book I got was "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave. I won't get into or debate the vaccination issue because it's very multifaceted and everyone has their own ideas and should do what they think is best, but I will say that knowledge truly is power. People (for the most part) tend to research everything that they provide for their children, from what toys are best, what they need nutritionally, techniques on raising them, etc., so vaccines shouldn't be any different. I personally want to know everything I can about what is being given to my child and this book really provides a lot of knowledge. I can't wait to dive into it!
Nursery Teaser
I was out buying some things for Cor.ben and his nursery today and got really excited about things coming together. So..... here's a little teaser on what we have done so far.
His changing table/dresser: we still need to get storage baskets for the empty space
**His crib & dresser do actually match, but with the flash and lighting they don't look like they do**
His crib: we are still going to get a breathable bumper and a crib skirt
His glider: we still need to finish the border (we just got in more) and we're awaiting a little white side table to go next to the glider
This lamp will go on the white side table
Wall hangings:
His lettering. I may or may not add some color to this.
I can't wait to change his diapers on here!
This you have already seen (the paint isn't really that bright):
His changing table/dresser: we still need to get storage baskets for the empty space
**His crib & dresser do actually match, but with the flash and lighting they don't look like they do**His crib: we are still going to get a breathable bumper and a crib skirt
His glider: we still need to finish the border (we just got in more) and we're awaiting a little white side table to go next to the glider
This lamp will go on the white side table
Wall hangings:
His lettering. I may or may not add some color to this.
I can't wait to change his diapers on here!
We also still need to refinish his bookcase (it's not in the pictures) to match the other furniture, switch the positioning of the changing table/dresser and a desk that we have in the room, move the white shelf to a different wall, touch up the paint, and do finishing decorations. I'm so excited for everything to be done and just waiting on Cor.ben!
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