Birth Survey...

1. Were you married at the time? Yes...
2. What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant? I was in complete shock, especially since the doctors warned us not to expect a positive on the first round of Clomid. I took another test later that day to make sure I wasn't hallucinating...
3. How old were you? 26...
4. How did you find out you were pregnant? I had been charting my temperature like I supposed to and noticed a spike...so then I took a POS test and it came up positive...
5. Who did you tell first? Husby first and then the Moms...
6. Did you want to find out the sex? Yep. W had it done in May right before Mother's Day and our visit to my mom...
7. Due date? September 29, 2010...
8. Did you deliver early or late? 11 days early. He arrived September 18th at 12:37 am...
9. Did you have morning sickness? Not really...I had an occasional bout of upset tummy issues, but nothing serious...
10. What did you crave? Red meat, sweets, spicy, Mexican food, ice cream and towards the end salty snacks...
11. What irritated you the most? Certain people giving me their 2 cents about things of my pregnancy and telling me how I should raise my baby, since they had 1 child and think they know everything...

12. What was your child’s sex? Boy...
13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 55 pounds. And two weeks pp, I have already lost 20 of them...

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? A blockage at 12-13 weeks that prevented me from urinating...but it lasted 72 hours...
15. Where did you give birth? HRMC...
16. How many hours were you in labor? 18 hours and 17 minutes... Water broke at 6:20am on September 17th & I gave birth at12:37am on the 18th...
17. Who drove you to the hospital? Husby at 7am...
18 . Did you take medicine to ease the pain?Heck yes! 

19 . How much did your child weigh? 7lbs 2oz...
20 . What did you name him/her? Brantley Calvin...
21 . How old is your first born today? a little over 2 weeks...14 days old!
22. Who does your child look like? A definite mix of us both...
23. Did you get mad at your husband during labor? Nope...

Post-Partum Survey

• How far along were you when you had your baby? 39 weeks 2 days.
• How long was labor? 18 hours and 17 minutes.
• Total weight gain: 45 pounds
• Total weight loss since: 20 lbs! But I really want to lose like 45 more pounds...since this is accumulated weight from the medication and shoulder surgery...
• Back into your own clothes yet? It's only been a week, but many of my tops are beginning to fit while some make me look still slightly pregnant.
• Did you get stretch marks? Definitely all0over my belly...hopefully they will fade a bit and I am trying all sorts of lotions and rubbing it constantly to try to reduce their appearance.
• Did you deliver vaginally or by c-section?VB
• Best moment this week: Settling into the house just the 3 of us and realizing this is my life and how lucky we are to have him after the rough delivery and other complications we had along the way, especially conceiving.
• What I miss about being pregnant: I somewhat miss the cute belly I had grown and feeling him moving and kicking inside me.
  
• How big is baby: 7 pounds 12 ounces this past Wednesday at his Pediatrician appt.
• Baby's temperament? Good for the most part. He is very demanding when it comes to feeding time and diaper changes. To sum it up, when he wants it, he wants it now! Otherwise, he sleeps well and is not fussy or anything most of the day.
• What I am looking forward to: Watchinghim grow and be his own unique individual. Also, seeing what physical attributes and personality traits he gets from each of us in the future.

38 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 38-September 15th, 2010) 

1. The Bump: very large and round and now feels very hard...difficult to bend
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 40 lb range... 
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course, and they are beginning to get uncomfortable and tight. 
4. Stretch Marks: my belly is covered... 
5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others 
6. Movement: starting to slow down a little...
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: still sweets and red meat...but beginning to not be as hungry anymore
   
8. Gender: It's a boy! 
9. Belly button in or out: Flat with my belly.
   
10. What I miss: blue cheese... 
11. What I am looking forward to: having this baby soon
12. Weekly Wisdom: Listen to your gut, do not listen to old wives tales or those that think they are experts because they had 1 baby...
13. Best moment this week: realizing I will soon be holding my baby boy...
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0
15. Energy Level: moderate
16. Labor Signs:lack of hunger, lots of back pain, strong contractions coming and going...
17. Daddy to be Status: starting to get worried about me and therefore not sleeping well.
18. Milestones: we are now full-term
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Monday September 20th, 2010.

37 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 37-September 8th, 2010) 

1. The Bump: very large and round and now feels very hard...difficult to bend
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 35 lb range... 
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course, and they are beginning to get uncomfortable and tight. 
4. Stretch Marks: my belly is covered... 
5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others 
6. Movement: starting to slow down a little...
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: still sweets and red meat...but beginning to not be as hungry anymore
   
8. Gender: It's a boy! 
9. Belly button in or out: Pretty flat nowadays, still has not popped out...
   
10. What I miss: blue cheese... 
11. What I am looking forward to: Resident Evil at the movie theater (going to the movies)
12. Weekly Wisdom: Listen to your gut, do not listen to old wives tales or those that think they are experts because they had 1 baby...
13. Best moment this week: realizing I will soon be holding my baby boy...
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0
15. Energy Level: moderate
16. Labor Signs:lack of hunger, lots of back pain, contractions coming and going...
17. Daddy to be Status: starting to get worried about me and therefore not sleeping well.
18. Milestones: we are now full-term
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Monday September 13th, 2010.

Week 36

The Weekly 20 (Week 36-September 1st, 2010) 

1. The Bump: very large and round and now feels very hard...difficult to bend
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range... 
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course. 
4. Stretch Marks: underneath my belly and the ones on hips from high school have gotten a bit bigger... 
5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others 
6. Movement: TONS!
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, peanut butter...sometimes salty, sweet snacks, not really disliking anything
   
8. Gender: It's a boy! 
9. Belly button in or out: Pretty flat nowadays, still has not popped out...
   
10. What I miss: blue cheese... 
11. What I am looking forward to: Labor Day weekend festivities
12. Weekly Wisdom: Listen to your nurse at the hospital, she will get you through the labor (good and bad)...
13. Best moment this week: realizing I will soon be holding my baby boy...
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0
15. Energy Level: moderate
16. Labor Signs: Baby G is definitely a mover and a shaker...tons of movement, lots of back pain and BH contractions...
17. Daddy to be Status: starting to get worried about me and therefore not sleeping well.
18. Milestones: first internal check and we finished our class!
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Tuesday September 7th, 2010.

35 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 35-August 25th, 2010) 

1. The Bump: Husby says it has dropped more...not much more to drop..but I guess it is possible 
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range... 
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course. 
4. Stretch Marks: underneath my belly and the ones on hips from high school have gotten a bit bigger... 
5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others 
6. Movement: TONS!
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, peanut butter...sometimes salty, sweet snacks 
8. Gender: It's a boy! 
9. Belly button in or out: Pretty flat nowadays 
10. What I miss: blue cheese... 
11. What I am looking forward to: starting back to teaching for a bit, starting my final grad class..and Labor Day weekend Gator football
12. Weekly Wisdom: Cherish these moments...
13. Best moment this week: starting back to school
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row?3 (I love my khaki capris)
15. Energy Level: moderate
16. Labor Signs: maybe false contractions...definitely getting uncomfortable and feeling him moving more and more
17. Daddy to be Status: he is over our Childbirth Class (I think he was over it after Week 2)....thankfully we have just 1 more week (during week 36).
18. Milestones: we finished purchasing all of the big items on our registries with gift cards and completion coupons...I started back to teaching this week as well
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Monday August 30th, 2010.

First Morning Back to School

(boy do I dislike mornings!)

34 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 34-August 16th, 2010) 

1. The Bump: Husby says it has dropped more...not much more to drop..but I guess it is possible 
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range... 
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course. 
4. Stretch Marks: underneath my belly and the ones on hips from high school have gotten a bit bigger... 
5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others 
6. Movement: Baby G is definitely going to be a soccer player the way he kicks inside 
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, peanut butter...sometimes salty, sweet snacks 
8. Gender: It's a boy! 
9. Belly button in or out: Pretty flat nowadays 
10. What I miss: martinis, fruit cocktails, blue cheese... 
11. What I am looking forward to: starting back to teaching for a bit, starting my final grad class, and finishing our shopping/preparing list
12. Weekly Wisdom: Cherish these moments...
13. Best moment this week: spending time with Husby running errands and then taking photos at the beach
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row?3 (I love my khaki capris)
15. Energy Level: had a few dips in energy at the start of the week, but it seems to be leveling out...
16. Labor Signs: maybe false contractions...definitely getting uncomfortable and feeling him moving more and more
17. Daddy to be Status: he has the nesting fever now too...he worked on hanging and organizing some stuff this weekend in the nursery, straightened up the garage (his domain) and then decided to remove a tree in the front yard and repaint the wall of the house since the paint was starting to look bad...
18. Milestones: we organized a packing list for the hospital and I started packing some things already and we worked out our Birth Plan so we are on the same page...
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: tomorrow...

Beach Pictures with Husby!

33 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 33-August 10th, 2010) 

1. The Bump: still large and in charge...getting in the way more each day...

2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range...

3. Maternity Clothes: Of course.

4. Stretch Marks: underneath my belly and the ones on hips from high school have gotten a bit bigger...

5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others

6. Movement: Baby G's kicks are getting stronger and more noticeable on the outside

7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, peanut butter...sometimes salty, sweet snacks
8. Gender: It's a boy!
9. Belly button in or out: Holding still inside...
10. What I miss: martinis, fruit cocktails, blue cheese...

11. What I am looking forward to: the weekend to take maternity pics, and finishing this set of grad classes
12. Weekly Wisdom: Make sure to rest and spend lots of time together...life is about to change
13. Best moment this week: my Surprise Baby Shower and spending time with some of the greatest ladies in my family and a few of our friends
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 2.
15. Energy Level: Great

16. Labor Signs: just BH contractions...

17. Daddy to be Status: Fabulous for keeping this big surprise from me for so long....
18. Milestones: Had my surprise baby shower this weekend....packing our bags this coming weekend (@ 34 weeks)
19. Symptoms: the same, nothing new...Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Aug. 16th.

32 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 32-August 1st, 2010) 

1. The Bump: I think he has dropped a bit

2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range...

3. Maternity Clothes: Of course.

4. Stretch Marks: underneath my belly and the ones on hips from high school have gotten a bit bigger...

5. Sleep: Sporadic, some nights are better than others

6. Movement: Baby G's kicks are getting stronger and more noticeable on the outside

7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, watermelon, peanut butter, pasta...
8. Gender: It's a boy!
9. Belly button in or out: Holding still inside...hopefully I can hold out a bit longer...
10. What I miss: martinis, fruit cocktails, blue cheese...

11. What I am looking forward to: Friday when Husby goes lobster diving and taking some maternity pics at the beach...
12. Weekly Wisdom: You're in the homestretch now...
13. Best moment this week: Starting our Childbirth classes
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 2.
15. Energy Level: Great

16. Labor Signs: Not sure what I am feeling...

17. Daddy to be Status: Still doing awesome with helping me with stuff (when he can) and being supportive...
18. Milestones: 32 weeks! We pack hospital bags in 2 weeks!
19. Symptoms: Heartburn, some restlessness, and the occasional odd feeling like cramps in my belly.
20. Next OB appointment: Aug. 2nd.

 

 

29 Weeks!

The Weekly 20 (Week 29-July 8th, 2010)
1. The Bump: I have dropped somewhat...but he has always been staying low in my belly
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: not sure of an exact number but I'd assume somewhere in the 25-30 lb range...
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course.
4. Stretch Marks: a couple small ones underneath my belly
5. Sleep: Sporadic 
6. Movement: Baby G's kicks are getting stronger, odd moving feeling like he is shifting around or redecorating...
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, steak and more steak, please!
8. Gender: It's a boy!
9. Belly button in or out: Holding still inside...hopefully I can hold out a bit longer...
10. What I miss: my blue jeans ;)
11. What I am looking forward to: Baby Care class Saturday, Orlando to bowl some new lanes
12. Weekly Wisdom: "Sleep whenever he is sleeping...you'll learn to sleep all hours of the day
13. Best moment this week: Attending our first couple classes...means we are getting closer
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0.
15. Energy Level: Good since I have been getting less sleep at night

16. Labor Signs: Not sure what I am feeling...maybe?

17. Daddy to be Status: Working on the Clownfish blanket this week...it is a much bigger project than we thought.
18. Milestones: We have our first classes for baby this week...Baby Care & Breastfeeding..Just 11 more weeks to go!
19. Symptoms: Heartburn, and restlessness such that I can't sleep at night sometimes.
20. Next OB appointment: July 13th (same night as our BF class).

 29 Weeks in the nursery

The laundry hamper is full and Luck has decided he likes his pillow in here now...too bad the crib will go there in a few weeks!

Week 28 Survey & Pictures

The Weekly 20 (Week 28-July 3rd, 2010)
1. The Bump: Is still looking like a basketball, but a bit lower now.
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: I must admit I have not been keeping track, but we are definitely up since January.
3. Maternity Clothes: Of course.
4. Stretch Marks: I have my first mark on my belly...right below my belly button on the left side.
5. Sleep: Sporadic due to an uncomfortable bed.
6. Movement: Baby G's kicks are getting stronger
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Steak, steak and more steak, please!
8. Gender: It's a boy!
9. Belly button in or out: It's still in, but getting flatter lately.
10. What I miss: Not being itchy and not having heartburn....
11. What I am looking forward to: Baby Care class next Saturday
12. Weekly Wisdom: "Thank heaven for your little boy...you never had to go through the morning sickness"
13. Best moment this week: Visiting family for the holiday weekend.
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0.
15. Energy Level: Normal

16. Labor Signs: None

17. Daddy to be Status: He is excited and getting antsy...
18. Milestones: We are feeling daily movement and have entered the last trimester...things are really beginning to come together.
19. Symptoms: Heartburn, odd pain and tingling sensation in my leg and waist.
20. Next OB appointment: July 13th (same night as our BF class).

V-Day!

*Week 24*
Baby's Length: 8-8.5 in.
Baby's Weight: 1.25 - 1.5 lb.
Baby's Size: 1/2 Gallon of Milk



You, Your Baby & The Umbilical Cord
Your baby has now developed his sense of balance, so he can tell which way is up inside your belly. (The inner ears control this skill, and as of this week they're fully formed.) There's still enough room in there for him to easily flip around, tethered by the umbilical cord. The cord, by the way, is pretty darn amazing. It contains two arteries and one large vein and is quite long -- by birth, up to four feet long! Every 30 seconds, nutrients and oxygen-rich blood travel from the placenta to the fetus through the single large vein. Then the blood returns to the placenta through the two arteries. It's an ingenious system that ensures the baby gets what he needs while keeping your blood separate from his.

All About Gestational Diabetes Testing
Sometime in your second trimester (usually between 24 and 28 weeks), your doctor will probably screen you for gestational diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels in your bloodstream are higher than usual. The disease rarely has symptoms, so it's important to get tested, especially if regular diabetes runs in your family or if you were overweight before you became pregnant. Most women with gestational diabetes deliver completely healthy babies; the main risks are high birth weight and increased odds of your child developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. If it turns out that you do have gestational diabetes, don't panic. First of all, the condition usually will go away after delivery (your hormone levels re-adjust, and your blood sugar levels typically return to normal). And it's great that you found out now, because gestational diabetes can often be controlled or reversed with simple lifestyle changes, like eating healthy, including cutting back on refined carbohydrates (pasta and white bread), and getting more exercise.



The Weekly 20 (Week 24-June 8th, 2010)
 
1. The Bump: Is beginning to get in the way, but still measuring great.
2. Total Weight Gain/Loss: I started back to the gym, so hopefully this will plateau out now.
3. Maternity Clothes: Definitely. Mainly skirts, shorts, and dress pants. I am able to wear all my PINK yoga pants and most of my dresses and skirts still. Some tops are getting a bit tight around the belly.
4. Stretch Marks: None on the belly 
5. Sleep: I am having trouble getting comfortable and falling asleep at first, but once I am asleep I am sleeping through the night without too much problems.
6. Movement: Movement has been sporadic and more fluttering, with the occasional kick. Given my anterior placenta, Hubby is still unable to feel the baby kicks.
7. Food Cravings/Aversions: Still craving peanut butter like mad, but I have always loved PB, so not really a craving. Due to the heartburn, I want milk and milkshakes always!
8. Gender: It's a boy!
9. Belly button in or out: It's still in, but getting flatter lately.
10. What I miss: I could really go for a fruity cocktail about now.
11. What I am looking forward to: Just another week of summer school and then I have the summer off to rest and work on improving the house. July 4th weekend in Pcola visiting family.12. Weekly Wisdom: OB told me my leg pain may be due to swelling, so laying off the salt as much as possible.
13. Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at the OB's office.
14. Number of days you wore the same piece of clothing in a row? 0...it has become increasingly hotter here, so I am always changing clothes since I am sweating a lot more.15. Energy Level: Moderate, but getting more due to working out again.

16. Labor Signs: None.

17. Daddy to be Status: After being away on a business trip, he came home and was really helpful in completing projects with me for the nursery (pillow, mobiles, window shade). He has started on constructing his Gators diaper bag, so that is exciting. He has his bowling tourney this weekend, so it will be a mini-babymoon away from the pups for a night.
18. Milestones: Officially hit V-Day....or 60% as the OB says.
19. Symptoms: Bad heartburn, numbness/burning sensation in my leg, flutters in my tummy occasionally, and feeling wide awake at bedtime.
20. Next OB appointment: June 16th for GD testing and then June 28th with the NP/LC (3-week check appointment).