38 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 1 week to go!!! 

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 25 lbs - the scale is whack!  Depending on what room they take me to is the scale they put me on.  When I go to one scale, I feel super HUGE.  When they put me on the other, I don't feel too bad about myself.  This past week they put me on the one that always has me losing lbs.  I know I have gained more than 25lbs and my doctor even laughed and said, "You are NOT losing weight!"  Next week, I am going to make sure to get on the other scale.  I feel like it is the more accurate one of the two! 

Exercise:
M- Group Power
S - 4 Mile Walk

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  Other than those usual symptoms, more hip pain - mostly on the right side.  I usually wake up aching or in pain in the night.  I'm also still having leg and foot cramps through the night.  They've got me jumping out of bed to walk them out.  Last but not least, cramping!  Most days, it's fine, but sometimes at work, it is so bad, that I can't get up or walk.  Luckily, that only happens every so often. 

Thyroid: Levels are looking good! 

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 


Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! Would you believe that we have gone back to not being 100% in tune regarding the middle name?????  Ha, I have a feeling, I am going to be sending Steve to the cafeteria while I submit the information for the birth certificate.  :)

Movement: Oh yeah, lots of hard punches and kicks!

Food Cravings: Soooooooo, UUMC had a fish fry that I just could not pass up!  I totally hit up the drive through for all things good - fried fish, French fries, hush puppies, slaw and a little sliver of cake.  Holy cow - talk about delicious!  I haven't been to a fish camp in forever so this totally hit the spot.  Oh and let's not forget the gallon of sweet tea I made this past week.  Truly OOC!!!


Food Aversions: ZERO!

Best Moment of the Week:  As always, hearing my sweet girl's heartbeat!  Also, Lottie and I spent a little girly time on Friday night while Steve went to one last happy hour w/ peeps from work.  Lottie and I ate our fish plates, rented a movie and cuddled on the couch where she proceded to brush my hair and give me lots of sweet kisses and hugs.  It was heavenly! 

What I Miss: Nothing!  This past week, I embraced being pregnant and couldn't think of anything I really missed! 

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: During my last pregnancy, my doctor started checking me to see if I had started dilating around 36 weeks.  Since it was a given that I was going to be having a scheduled c-section this time around, she hasn't checked me once to see if anything has happened.  History is definitely repeating itself!  I am basically the "baby carrier" - I guarantee that I could carry this baby until 42 / 43 weeks if allowed.  My cervix just will not open up / dilate!  

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - Praying Mini Coop is a healthy baby and everything just goes well with no complications!  I am starting to get really nervous about going back into that operating room! 

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is tomorrow morning, the 30th!  Tomorrow will be my last appointment before we meet again in the O.R.!!!  Crazy!!!



Bump Photo: A glorious morning!!!

37 Weeks -Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 12 days to go!! 

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 30 lbs - lost a pound this past week - how - I have no clue!!  No worries though, tomorrow's weigh in is bound to be a disaster after the weekend I just had!

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Group Power

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  Other than those usual symptoms, I've had more hip pain at night - feels very arthritic like.  I'm also still having leg and foot cramps through the night.  Other than that, feeling pretty good!

Thyroid: Levels are looking good! 

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 



Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! Steve has picked a middle name.  It's still up for discussion at this point. 

Movement: Oh yeah, lots of hard punches and kicks!

Food Cravings: I was OOC this past weekend!!!!!!!  Not only did I pig out at my little baby luncheon, but I also pigged out at Tin Tin with friends on Saturday night!!  I seriously thought I was going to have to have someone wheel me out of there!  I am so dreading the weigh in tomorrow a.m.  And the cake at the luncheon - don't even get me started!!!  It was so delicious - I have been munching on that all week!  Gah!!!!!  No self control this past week whatsoever!



Food Aversions: ZERO!

Best Moment of the Week:  My two BFFs threw me a little bridal luncheon at Brio this past Saturday.  It was really nice to just get together with girlfriends to celebrate this little bundle of joy.  In lieu of gifts, I just asked for diapers.  I must have received 5 or 6 boxes and two of the cutest diaper cakes!  I'm so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life to love on my babies!  :)

What I Miss: I miss not being so stressed at work - I swear I have never worked so hard in my life!  1 week of work to go!

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: The stress level at work is way worse than the first go around.  Lord help me!!!  

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - Praying Mini Coop is a healthy baby and work goes according to plan while I am out.  So stressful - I can't even describe it!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is tomorrow morning!


Bump Photo: Still rocking the heels every day at work - hey - may as well if I'm able right????? 

 

36 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 20 days to go!! 

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 31 lbs

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Group Power
T - Arrichion (MMA)

The stares have gone from, "WOW - you go girl" to "Whoa, what if that chick goes into labor?"  I think I've started scaring people.  Today was officially my last day circuit training.  I've had to modify about half of the workout and after this morning's work out, my body is finally telling me ENOUGH of that!  I plan to continue Group Power for one more week (maybe....) and do some walking, but other than that, I am going to enjoy these last couple of weeks and not worry about making sure I get a work out in.   

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  Other than those usual symptoms, I've been having severe hip pain at night - feels very arthritic like.  I've also been having leg and foot cramps through the night.  They make me jump out of bed to where I have to walk them out for a few minutes. 

Thyroid: After getting my refill, everything has been fine.  Hopefully, there will be no issues when I go to refill this next time around.

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 



Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! Steve has picked a middle name.  It's still up for discussion at this point.

Movement: She is moving from the top to the bottom, to the side, all over!

Food Cravings: This past week, I was a little more in control, but not really!  I really got down on some hummus / veggies / pita chips!  Delicious!   



Food Aversions: ZERO!

Best Moment of the Week:  I finally got all of Mini Coop's clothes washed.  Holy cow - I washed two large storage boxes full of clothes.  It must have totaled around 5 loads.  The drawers and closet are slap full of stuff.  I also started washing receiving blankets, bassinet sheets, etc.  I've definitely got another 3 or 4 loads of blankets, etc. to do so will hopefully knock that out this weekend.  We also went shopping for diapers, bibs, bottles, pacis, bottle brush cleaners, wipes, lotions, body wash, washcloths, etc.  All in all, it was a successful weekend as far as getting prepared goes, but also a very expensive one!!!!!!!!!!  

What I Miss: Sleeping comfortably and on my stomach.  It will still be a long time after the baby is born until I'll be able to sleep on my stomach, but I can't wait!

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: HOLY COW - time is flying by.  Does it not feel like I just started these posts?????  20 days - really?????????  Lord have mercy! 

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - Praying Mini Coop is a healthy baby!  I just wish I could see her again!  I haven't had a medical ultrasound since I was 18 weeks - Ughhhhh.  I had around 5 or 6 the first time around.  I'm going to see if I can talk my doctor into a "growth" ultrasound this week.  Yeah right!  She's already told me no twice!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is Thursday, the 18th. 


Bump Photo: What a gorgeous weekend!

My little mini me!

She wanted to poke her belly out too! 

Lottie's First "real" Haircut

It was LONG overdue!!!!!  For the past several months, I've desperately tried to get Lottie to wear her hair back in a hair tie, bow, headband, you name it, but she refuses most of the time.  I have to tell her things like, "Do you want to wear a bow like Minnie?" or "Do you want to put your hair up like Mommy?"  You name it, I've tried it.  I think she is getting better and better every day, but nonetheless, most days her hair is down. 

I've been trimming her bangs for the last few months since they are constantly in her eyes when she is playing.  However, after seeing her hair in her "school" photos, I knew that it was time for a proper haircut. 

Since I've never taken her to get her hair cut before, I had no idea how she would react or whether or not she would even sit in a chair.  With that said, I decided to take her to a kid friendly hair salon for her first cut. 

Can I just say, "Dang, I got ROBBED!"  They charged me $17 to trim her hair and that is not including tip.  Is it just me or is that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?  She has baby hair for crying out loud and all they did was cut it straight across.  We were in and out of that place in 10 minutes.  Crazy, Crazy, Crazy. 

Needless to say, we won't be going back.  While I liked the salon itself with it's cute decor, race cars and taxi cabs as chairs, the lady who cut Lottie's hair was mean as a snake to me!  She went on and on and on about what a terrible job I had done cutting Lottie's bangs and that I should have brought her in a long time ago.  She also told me that Lottie should not have bangs and that I should have been pulling her hair back and making her wear her hair back until they were long enough to tuck behind her ears.  Had the lady not had a pair of cutting shears in her hands, who knows what would have happened.  I tried to explain to her that I would LOVE to pull her hair back and let her bangs grow if I could, but she won't have it, so bangs it is for now until she gets older.  She then went on to tell me that I should have started putting things in her hair when she was a baby.  I almost whipped out every photo I've ever taken of her to prove that I did start early, but again, she had a pair of shears in her hand and my child's head in her hands. 

While the lady drove me absolutely nuts, Lottie seemed to really enjoy her first haircut.  She was super cute and was making the cutest facial expressions!  She was pretty unsure about getting her hair blow dried, but other than that, loved the experience.  She was such a "big girl"!  She made momma proud! 

35 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 27 days to go!!  (WOW - Days...........Can you believe it?)


Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 31 lbs - O to the M to the G - I gained 5 lbs in a freaking week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I thought my blood pressure was going to shoot through the roof!  I was soooooooooooooo OOC this past weekend - not even funny!  At this point, weight gain is supposed to slow down not skyrocket!  Way to go T!  It must have been those 100 bowls of cereal I had (cursing my cereal craving as we speak!)


Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Group Power
T - Arrichion (MMA)
F - Group Power

Hoping to make it another 2 weeks working out, but not so sure!  I was struggling this a.m.  I suppose it doesn't help that the place felt like it was 90 degrees in there!  I know I look absolutely ridiculous in these classes and the stares I get are unreal!  But, I will tell you that it feels pretty great when I have girls/guys constantly coming up telling me how "bad ass" I am and how much it motivates them to go that extra mile.  My GP instructor is constantly staring - she scared I'm going to go into labor during the squat track!  Cracks me up! 

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  Other than those usual symptoms, I had my very first BH contraction yesterday.  Woo Hoo!!!!  J/K!  My doctor and I have discussed that my pain tolerance is pretty high so for me to have felt that cramping/tightening feeling is pretty rare. 

Thyroid: What a bloody nightmare the past few days have been.  My results came back within the normal range which is great news.  The not so great news is that I went to get my Rx refilled on Friday and the brand medication I use was recalled.  Of course I asked why it was recalled and I was told, "The bottle / pills were giving off a foul odor!"  WHAT?????  Is that not the strangest thing ever?  When taking thyroid medication, they tell you that under no circumstances are you to change brands.  There is something about making sure you stay on the same brand medication always.  Long story short, I have been without my thyroid meds since Friday (not a good thing to go without while pregnant).  Finally, I found a CVS yesterday afternoon who had just enough pills to refill my prescription.  I called several pharmacies to which they all told me they had none.  Hopefully they get it sorted out before I need another refill. 

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! STILL NO MIDDLE NAME!!!!!!!!!  Still nothing! 

Movement:  We are ROLLING - giant waves of movement from one side of my body to the other.  Her kicks are becoming stronger and stronger!

Food Cravings: This past week, I had a MAJOR craving for cereal!!!!!!!!!!  I am banning myself this week because apparently when I start, I just can't stop!  It's been Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Magic Stars and Honey Oats something or another.  Steve was totally talking crap and laughing about one little episode I had - not kidding, could not stop!  I even ran out of milk and had to send him to the store for more. 

Food Aversions: Clearly NONE this past week - see weight gain above! 


Best Moment of the Week:  Hearing my sweet girl's heartbeat yesterday afternoon!  It just reminds me how truly fortunate I am to be able to go through this experience. 

What I Miss: Having a bit of a tan!  I am so pale!!!!!!!  My legs are literally blinding me!


Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: I definitely don't feel as miserable as I did the first time around at this point in my pregnancy.  I truly have to thank exercise for that.  I remember that last month the first time around was pure "hell" - just feeling huge, tired and ready to pop.  Considering, it is less than a month away, I feel pretty great. 

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - Early labor - my doctor assures me that I am measuring right where I'm supposed to be and has told me multiple times that this baby is not coming early.  But, after the cramping/tightening feeling I felt yesterday, it does make me a little nervous.  I need this baby to stay put for the next 27 days.  I've got wayyyyyyyyyyyyy to much work stuff to get finished up and still need diapers, bottles, a pump, wipes, pacis, etc.! 

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is April 18th. 

Update: At yesterdays appointment I had the Group B strep test done.  Had I known it was going down yesterday, I would have been better prepared in the grooming dept.  Just saying!  Yes, I'm crazy!  Other than that, everything went fine.  I am going to the doctor once a week now.  I am still trying to get or have them stay on top of me getting my surgery moved from 12:00 p.m. on that Monday to the 7:30 a.m. time slot.  Hopefully the lady who was scheduled before me goes into labor before then, so I can get that time slot.  I would just really like to knock it out in the a.m. so I can be transferred to a room by early afternoon.  Then I can relax for a bit before my sister brings Lottie to the hospital. 

Bump Photo: That is one big belly!!!!!!!!!!  I feel like it has really grown the last couple of weeks!

Easter Weekend

Last weekend Steve had to work both Friday and Saturday and with the long weekend, I decided that Lottie and I would take a girl's trip to visit Aunt Amy.  I knew it would be our last trip down until at least the end of May, so wanted to take advantage of not only spending time with my sister, but spending quality time with Lottie. 

Lottie is growing up so fast and this stage she is currently at is so much fun.  It is by far the most fun we've had together.  She is talking like crazy and loves being silly.  She cracks me up every day.  There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't have me rolling with laughter.  Just when I thought the terrible twos were upon us, she proved me wrong.  She has been so well behaved, sweet, loving these last few weeks.  I honestly can't get enough of her.  I want to spend every waking moment with her.

Okay - back on track before I start getting all hormonal on ya!  Dang hormones!  Next thing you know, I'll start crying thinking about how much I love this kid.  All I can say is poor Steve!  :)

We got to the beach on Thursday night where we ate, watched basketball and relaxed.  My sister had to work on Friday so it was the perfect opportunity for Lottie and I to get in some QT together.  Since it was really chilly and we weren't able to beach it up, we decided to head to Broadway at the Beach to do a little shopping and visit Ripley's Aquarium.

Ripley's Aquarium was nice - a lot smaller than I remember as a kid, but I guess that's with everything I revisit these days with Lottie.  Everything always seemed so grand as a child.

Following the aquarium, we walked around Broadway at the Beach and ran into a huge bouncy house park / play area.  Of course, Lottie had to go in and jump around.  It cost $8.  Of course, Lottie ended up jumping around for about 15 minutes before she had enough.  I told her she better get back in there and get mama's money's worth.  :)  She of course wanted me to go in and jump with her, but I quickly shot that down.  Can you imagine seeing an 8 month pregnant lady jumping around and going down slides in the kiddo's bounce house?  I don't think so - it would have popped.  I can see it now!

We ended up meeting Uncle Anthony for lunch at the English pub where Lottie ate one of her favorite English dishes, "Beans on Toast".  She is quite the little English girl! 

We ended up relaxing the rest of the afternoon, napped and played with the dogs.  Once Amy got home from work, we started dying Easter eggs.  Lottie loves stickers, so her eggs were decorated mostly with stickers once they were dyed. 



On Saturday, it was supposed to be a bit warmer so we decided to head to the beach to collect shells, eat boiled peanuts and relax for a bit.  It ended up being a lot cooler than predicted so we only lasted about an hour before heading to the arcade and Dead Dogs in Murrells Inlet for lunch.

My favorite snack on the beach!  Addictive!

Later that afternoon, my brother in law's nieces came into town along with another friend and his three kids.  Talk about a house full!  I actually kind of loved it - I just envisioned all the girly sleepovers that are in my future! 

Lottie adores Bella and Ari so was super excited to see them.  We ended up hiding Easter eggs the rest of the day.  I swear we must have hid them 10 different times.  Finally the kids wanted to hide for us, so that was interesting.  When was the last time you saw a 32 yr. old hunting eggs?  It was FUN though. 

Sidewalk chalk - used to love this stuff!  I am thinking - hopscotch might be on the agenda this weekend!

Finally, before officially crashing out in my arms after a long day, the girls or should I say Lottie decided to play with her new bubble blower in the house!  Uncle Anthony was pretty thrilled about this idea!  :)

On Easter, Lottie and I drove back super early to be with Steve.  I cooked a ham and we relaxed the rest of the afternoon.  Ms. Jeanette and Brittany came over for a little visit with Lottie that afternoon and soon the weekend was over. 

Again, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed spending QT with Lottie.  I felt so sick on my stomach on Monday just having to be back at work and not hanging with her.  I couldn't wait until I got off to pick her up.  I missed her so much. 

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Easter.  The Lord has certainly blessed our little family!