So 11 weeks. Nothing new to report as of today. Wednesday is my nuchal translucency scan. Hopefully I'll have a new picture to post.
There's debate about when the 2nd trimester starts. Some say 12 weeks, some say 13, and others say 14 weeks. I think I'll go with 12!
Anyway, one more week then until the 2nd trimester. I'd say time is flying but it does seem like it's been FOREVER!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Heartbeat
A few weeks ago I invested in a fetal heartrate doppler, similar to the kind doctors use but just not as expensive. Anyway, I have tried about a half dozen times to find the heartbeat but could only pick up mine. I didn't freak out as I promised myself I wouldn't. I'm still rather early and because I'm a little thicker in the belly than some I figured it might be harder.
Today I finally heard the baby's heartbeat! About 160 bpm! I was just about to give up for the time and then I heard the beautiful sound! It sounds nothing like mine...much faster, similar to the sound of a galloping horse.
I only listened for about 20 seconds. Something about hearing that sound made me not want to intrude for much longer!
Such an amazing experience!
Today I finally heard the baby's heartbeat! About 160 bpm! I was just about to give up for the time and then I heard the beautiful sound! It sounds nothing like mine...much faster, similar to the sound of a galloping horse.
I only listened for about 20 seconds. Something about hearing that sound made me not want to intrude for much longer!
Such an amazing experience!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
crib and dresser
Well with Jeff deploying in a few weeks we decided we better go ahead and get the furniture as there is no way I could get it up the stairs and put together by myself. I'm sure we could have scrounged SOMEONE up, but this way Jeff gets to be part of it.
We picked out a cherry colored crib and dresser. We got rid of the crib we used for the other 3 while we were in Germany, thinking we were done. We got rid of everything for that matter! It feels odd starting over from scratch.
One thing that worries me a bit is all the recent recalls. This is something OUR parents didn't have to worry about, and more often than not it's a matter of a company being pro-active in protecting young children, which isn't a bad thing. Our crib is from a maker that recently had several recalls. Their cribs that has the drop side (the side that goes up and down) could potentially drop and hurt a child. So they recalled all their drop-side cribs. Our's doesn't have a drop side, which might be annoying in the beginning, but better safe than sorry.
Did you know you're not supposed to use bumper pads any more? With Matthew I just weaved the bumper pad around the posts to make sure it was tight. Again, most of this is due to cautious parents rather than a lot of accidents, although there are some accidents of babies getting caught in the bumpers and suffocating.
I'm a little over cautious when it comes to the crib mattress. I read a study years ago that showed a dramatic increase in SIDS if you use a used crib mattress (something about the crib releasing toxic chemicals used in the fire retardant, and those chemicals being released more easily with repetitive use). It's one of those things that, if for $50 I can buy a bit of piece of mind, then I'm going to do.
I do remember with Matthew calling the car seat manufacturer because the car seat straps would pop out...scary if we had ever been in an accident. Or the time when Matthew was in his carseat and the shopping cart hit a bump in Wal-mart's parking lot and his seat shot off and landed face first in the middle of the road...scary. I didn't know NOT to put the seat in that part of the shopping cart. I do now...
Now we have to worry about BPA in baby bottles (well I won't have to worry TOO much about it), lead paint in baby toys or toxic chemicals in baby formula (see China's headlines).
What did our parents do? How did we all survive without serious harm? Life was much simpler then. They made their own baby food. My grandmother made her own formula.
I tell you, organic may be the way to go in a lot of ways (although the thought of using cloth diapers makes me want to hurl!).
So a bunch of nothing post, but a post nonetheless.
We picked out a cherry colored crib and dresser. We got rid of the crib we used for the other 3 while we were in Germany, thinking we were done. We got rid of everything for that matter! It feels odd starting over from scratch.
One thing that worries me a bit is all the recent recalls. This is something OUR parents didn't have to worry about, and more often than not it's a matter of a company being pro-active in protecting young children, which isn't a bad thing. Our crib is from a maker that recently had several recalls. Their cribs that has the drop side (the side that goes up and down) could potentially drop and hurt a child. So they recalled all their drop-side cribs. Our's doesn't have a drop side, which might be annoying in the beginning, but better safe than sorry.
Did you know you're not supposed to use bumper pads any more? With Matthew I just weaved the bumper pad around the posts to make sure it was tight. Again, most of this is due to cautious parents rather than a lot of accidents, although there are some accidents of babies getting caught in the bumpers and suffocating.
I'm a little over cautious when it comes to the crib mattress. I read a study years ago that showed a dramatic increase in SIDS if you use a used crib mattress (something about the crib releasing toxic chemicals used in the fire retardant, and those chemicals being released more easily with repetitive use). It's one of those things that, if for $50 I can buy a bit of piece of mind, then I'm going to do.
I do remember with Matthew calling the car seat manufacturer because the car seat straps would pop out...scary if we had ever been in an accident. Or the time when Matthew was in his carseat and the shopping cart hit a bump in Wal-mart's parking lot and his seat shot off and landed face first in the middle of the road...scary. I didn't know NOT to put the seat in that part of the shopping cart. I do now...
Now we have to worry about BPA in baby bottles (well I won't have to worry TOO much about it), lead paint in baby toys or toxic chemicals in baby formula (see China's headlines).
What did our parents do? How did we all survive without serious harm? Life was much simpler then. They made their own baby food. My grandmother made her own formula.
I tell you, organic may be the way to go in a lot of ways (although the thought of using cloth diapers makes me want to hurl!).
So a bunch of nothing post, but a post nonetheless.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
10 weeks today!!
25 percent done!
Today marks 10 weeks! I'm starting to feel cautiously optimistic, although I'm not completely free from the anxiety that something can go wrong. With the first pregnacy I was shamefully unaware of what was going on with my body. I just enjoyed the pregnancy and thought nothing of what could go wrong (in those early days). Now that I'm "advanced maternal age" there seems to be a much larger range of testing that is offered to make sure nothing is wrong, not that I would change anything if it WAS wrong, but somehow knowing that nothing is or isn't wrong helps.
The first of such tests is scheduled for next Wednesday. It is called the Nuchal Translucency Scan. They do an ultrasound and measure the translucent space between the baby's brain and the back of the neck. Depending on the thickness, it can help determine if your baby is at greater risk for Down's Syndrome. My current risk just based on my age is 1 in 350. That means 1 baby in 350 has Down's Syndrome. If this test is clear we will more than likely bypass the amniocentesis unless the "big" ultrasound at 18 weeks tells us otherwise.
So I'll keep everyone posted. Other than that things are just going along. Jeff got a date for deployment which is earlier than hoped for (can't post it here). He'll be missing my youngest's birthday if that gives those who know when that is any clue!
Today marks 10 weeks! I'm starting to feel cautiously optimistic, although I'm not completely free from the anxiety that something can go wrong. With the first pregnacy I was shamefully unaware of what was going on with my body. I just enjoyed the pregnancy and thought nothing of what could go wrong (in those early days). Now that I'm "advanced maternal age" there seems to be a much larger range of testing that is offered to make sure nothing is wrong, not that I would change anything if it WAS wrong, but somehow knowing that nothing is or isn't wrong helps.
The first of such tests is scheduled for next Wednesday. It is called the Nuchal Translucency Scan. They do an ultrasound and measure the translucent space between the baby's brain and the back of the neck. Depending on the thickness, it can help determine if your baby is at greater risk for Down's Syndrome. My current risk just based on my age is 1 in 350. That means 1 baby in 350 has Down's Syndrome. If this test is clear we will more than likely bypass the amniocentesis unless the "big" ultrasound at 18 weeks tells us otherwise.
So I'll keep everyone posted. Other than that things are just going along. Jeff got a date for deployment which is earlier than hoped for (can't post it here). He'll be missing my youngest's birthday if that gives those who know when that is any clue!
Monday, September 15, 2008
9 weeks
9 weeks...only 217 more days to go! Gee that sounds like FOREVER!
I feel okay, although I'm definitely more cranky than usual, if you can imagine. Jeff's coming around a bit more, fortunately. We had our pre-deployment brief tonight which SUCKS talking about notifications of death, insurance and that kind of thing. Right now we're looking at November as when he'll leave...somewhere around then.
4 more weeks until I'm in my 2nd trimester...YEAH!
I feel okay, although I'm definitely more cranky than usual, if you can imagine. Jeff's coming around a bit more, fortunately. We had our pre-deployment brief tonight which SUCKS talking about notifications of death, insurance and that kind of thing. Right now we're looking at November as when he'll leave...somewhere around then.
4 more weeks until I'm in my 2nd trimester...YEAH!
Monday, September 8, 2008
8 weeks
Tomorrow marks 8 weeks. I had my second doctor's appointment today. It was the OB physical appointment. I also got another ultrasound showing the baby growing nicely and a nice heartbeat! I was so relieved! No picture this time as we couldn't get a great shot due to my uterus being tipped forward (also explains why I am showing already).
I also started long-acting insulin in addition to the short acting. Hopefully it will keep my afternoon levels under control.
So a good appointment. I don't go back till October 7th.
I also started long-acting insulin in addition to the short acting. Hopefully it will keep my afternoon levels under control.
So a good appointment. I don't go back till October 7th.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
My car seat/stroller are coming in today
Where is that FedEx guy!
Okay, I know what you're thinking...buying stuff already? Well with three previous pregnancies I know what I definitely need, and even though it's not much, a car seat is definitely one I need. I had someone offer me theirs, but it was already 3rd generation hand-me-down, and I don't really feel comfortable with that. Anyway, thanks to an AMAZING sale and a 20% on-line coupon I got this for MUCH, MUCH, MUCH cheaper than what is shown on the website. AND if something, God forbid, happened I could sell it very easily for almost twice what I paid for it.
Anyway, it's rated the number 1 safest car seat AND it fits babies up to 30 pounds, so we should be able to use it for way longer than usual car seats (usually rated to 22 pounds).
I also went to the thrift store on post today and got 4 shirts, a pair of pants and 3 neutral baby sleepers for under $20. Not bad!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The strange stuff you think about...
So today I bought laundry fabric softener. I didn't think much about it. I grabbed the big bottle because it was on sale. It said it contained enough for 78 loads. That got me thinking....
I average about 6 loads a week. That means it would be 13 weeks of laundry. That means I will be almost 20 weeks when the fabric softener runs out.
I told you it was strange!
Other calculations....After this class I will have 4 more classes to take until my due date (maybe 3 if I switch to 2 weeks between classes instead of 1).
I will change the catbox about 66 more times until the baby is born.
I will fill the gas tank 33 more times.
I will have 231 more breakfasts
There are only 33 more Saturday's until I am due.
I will brush my teeth approx. 462 more times before the baby is due.
I will let the dog out approx. 1,386 more times before the baby is born.
There are only 14 more paychecks until the baby is born.
There are 330 more episodes of Little House on the Prarie before the baby is born.
There are 6 months and 18 days, or 33 weeks, or 231 days, or 5,544 hours, or 332,640 minutes, or 19,958,400 seconds until the baby is due.
Okay, that is fun! Any others I didn't think of? I'm sure there are!
I average about 6 loads a week. That means it would be 13 weeks of laundry. That means I will be almost 20 weeks when the fabric softener runs out.
I told you it was strange!
Other calculations....After this class I will have 4 more classes to take until my due date (maybe 3 if I switch to 2 weeks between classes instead of 1).
I will change the catbox about 66 more times until the baby is born.
I will fill the gas tank 33 more times.
I will have 231 more breakfasts
There are only 33 more Saturday's until I am due.
I will brush my teeth approx. 462 more times before the baby is due.
I will let the dog out approx. 1,386 more times before the baby is born.
There are only 14 more paychecks until the baby is born.
There are 330 more episodes of Little House on the Prarie before the baby is born.
There are 6 months and 18 days, or 33 weeks, or 231 days, or 5,544 hours, or 332,640 minutes, or 19,958,400 seconds until the baby is due.
Okay, that is fun! Any others I didn't think of? I'm sure there are!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
7 weeks today!
7 weeks down, 33 to go...wow. That sounds like a long time. It IS a long time, but in the total picture I guess it isn't!
Last week was pretty rough with morning/evening sickness. I'm starting to feel better now in the morning. It's just evening that is rough.
We got our first picture this week! I'll post that if I can figure out how. I also got to see the heart beat, which is amazing seeing the baby is a about the size of a small blueberry.
I also started insulin this week, which isn't nearly as bad as I thought. I don't even feel the needle.
I love the whole idea about being pregnant, but it is rather nerve wracking seeing everything that can go wrong. Once I can feel the baby I think I'll feel better, of course I said that after I knew there was a heart beat I'd feel better! I guess I'll feel better once the baby is born, but of course then that's just a whole nother set of unknowns!
The kids are excited. Jeff is still taking some time coming around. He'll figure it out though. Hopefully!
Take care all!
Last week was pretty rough with morning/evening sickness. I'm starting to feel better now in the morning. It's just evening that is rough.
We got our first picture this week! I'll post that if I can figure out how. I also got to see the heart beat, which is amazing seeing the baby is a about the size of a small blueberry.
I also started insulin this week, which isn't nearly as bad as I thought. I don't even feel the needle.
I love the whole idea about being pregnant, but it is rather nerve wracking seeing everything that can go wrong. Once I can feel the baby I think I'll feel better, of course I said that after I knew there was a heart beat I'd feel better! I guess I'll feel better once the baby is born, but of course then that's just a whole nother set of unknowns!
The kids are excited. Jeff is still taking some time coming around. He'll figure it out though. Hopefully!
Take care all!
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