Well, the good news is that Baby Boy is a fantastic mover and shaker and couldn't be doing better! Bad news, thanks to needing extra minerals to prevent pre-term labor for Baby Boy, Mom has a kidney stone, yes it hurts! So I get to skip most of the supplements for now and we'll see if this thing will pass with some ease and remove the baseball bat that someone shoved through my right side!
Return to good news, this munchkin moves! I had a non-stress test to see how he was handling giving me a kidney stone (it's where they hook you up to fetal monitors and at my OB's office, you get to sit in a fluffy recliner and watch tv!). Well, he must be pleased with himself because the nurse and doctor both commented on never having seen a baby at 24 weeks be so active (no caffeine needed). Such a little show off!
In other good news we've reached the first of my big high-risk milestones, today I'm 24 weeks and my cervix looks wonderful. That means I only have to go bi-weekly for the next eight weeks (what will I do without going every week!). Once I reach 32 weeks, I'll be back to an appointment every week until he is born.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Updates...
As promised I'm finally posting the pictures of the nursery and a few from Valentine's Day! We never go out for Valentine's Day (take that Hallmark) but we do always cook steak and lobsters at home in our pjs as every good at home gourmet meal should be cooked! This year we let the dogs have a meet and greet with dinner! As usual, Shamrock knew it should be something he could eat and Sandy was scared of them!
Even though we felt rushed through our entire time home together, we made the best of it and got a lot done! Here are a few pictures of what we've started in the nursery! The paint color is apple, and Alan got the crib and changer put together! (You can see our infant car seat and infant stroller that we've already acquired too!).
Here is the crib and car seat. The crib has the curtain hanging out on it until I get it ironed!
The changing table and infant stroller!
We also went to Jacksonville when Alan was home and he picked this up at BabiesRUs (I think it's more for him that the baby!)
I need to toss in a few pet pictures too! I know Shamrock's Mom and Dad miss him (even though Sandy will suffer a short but terrible depression when they return and take him home) and I know Alan misses the girls so here are a few more pictures of the fur-babies!
Sandy napping in bed
Sandy and Shamrock chillin' in the office
Lily claiming my Snoogle (I think not, I love that pillow!)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Return to Mexico...
The final round begins... Yesterday after driving six hours in the rain, flights getting bumped, car issues, and anything else that can be filed under Murphy's Law Alan returned to Isla safely and I was snuggled up in bed with Sandy listening to the thunderstorms we had last night.
Alan has 18 more trips/days before they can leave Mexico to come home and hopefully they will be filled with sailfish and groupers. We're also praying for some extremely perfect weather the second week of March so that they can come straight home!
While he was home we both worked non-stop both at the house and for our jobs! We did get the nursery painted (well, mostly, we've got a few surprises to add to the walls that won't arrive for another few weeks) and the crib and changer put together. We made a trip to BabiesRUs and picked up a few things for the munchkin! We also made it to Sam's and picked up our first super-sized box of diapers. The plan is to try and stay ahead on the whole diaper thing with trips to Sam's, but we'll see how that really works out! I'll have to post pictures this afternoon when I get home from the dentist because I don't have the camera with me.
Things here have been super busy and show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Once Alan returns he'll officially begin his job as captain (though he's really been doing this since they left for Mexico) and two weeks after he gets home, our birthing classes begin! Oh, and tournaments start up soon too! I can't wait to see everyone at my shower next weekend in Hickory. I'll only get to be in town Friday night because I have to come back and work but it will be worth the trip. After March 3rd I won't be allowed to travel more than two hours from home so this will be my last trip of any kind until after the baby is here (and been here for a while :)!)
Alan has 18 more trips/days before they can leave Mexico to come home and hopefully they will be filled with sailfish and groupers. We're also praying for some extremely perfect weather the second week of March so that they can come straight home!
While he was home we both worked non-stop both at the house and for our jobs! We did get the nursery painted (well, mostly, we've got a few surprises to add to the walls that won't arrive for another few weeks) and the crib and changer put together. We made a trip to BabiesRUs and picked up a few things for the munchkin! We also made it to Sam's and picked up our first super-sized box of diapers. The plan is to try and stay ahead on the whole diaper thing with trips to Sam's, but we'll see how that really works out! I'll have to post pictures this afternoon when I get home from the dentist because I don't have the camera with me.
Things here have been super busy and show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Once Alan returns he'll officially begin his job as captain (though he's really been doing this since they left for Mexico) and two weeks after he gets home, our birthing classes begin! Oh, and tournaments start up soon too! I can't wait to see everyone at my shower next weekend in Hickory. I'll only get to be in town Friday night because I have to come back and work but it will be worth the trip. After March 3rd I won't be allowed to travel more than two hours from home so this will be my last trip of any kind until after the baby is here (and been here for a while :)!)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Home Sweet Home for Now
Well, Alan is safely home after a long day of flight delays and driving! He'll be here until Wednesday and we're beginning work on the nursery tonight! We'll update with pictures once we get going! We had a very nice restful day together yesterday, we took the dogs to the beach, at a great breakfast and went to the new Harris Teeter (yes, a new fancy grocery store with the cantaloupes this baby has been craving)! But today work is calling for both of us. I don't get any paid maternity leave so to keep from using up all of my sick and vacation time I'm at the office working on tons of things that need catching up on (like my blog!). Alan is at the house prepping for interview, he's working on hiring a mate for the boat while he is home now that he is Captain. There are also daycare centers to tour, doctors appointments to get to, oh and someone told us Valentine's Day is Saturday so we'll be trying to fit that in somewhere too. So we'll have a super busy week, but really no different from any other week we've had in recent memory! Just so happy to have him home for the week!
Much love,
Alan, Carole, & Baby Boy
Much love,
Alan, Carole, & Baby Boy
Monday, February 9, 2009
Baby Boy at 22 weeks...
Though I haven't written much about being high-risk, I thought I'd give an update on all of that. I'm just back from the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in Jacksonville and everything looks great. Baby Boy is growing like a weed and now weighs about 1lb and 1oz! I love their ultrasound machine, it is supersonic (not 3D/4D but awesome) and the tech has been doing high risk ultrasounds for over 30 years, she is a gem and can tell you all kinds of things about what it is you are looking at! We also adore the Doctor there, it is rare that a doctor of any kind takes the kind of time with his patients that Dr. Wright takes with us. He is always available to answer any questions and has even called to check on me after not seeing him for a few weeks. It is an incredible office, even other doctors rave about how special a practice it is! I'll still go to my local OB for weekly appointments, but we're already looking forward to our 28 week appointment in Jacksonville. (Yes, weekly appointments since 14 weeks, my insurance company adores me!)
All of his anatomy scan looks wonderful, you can see both kidneys, stomach, all four chambers of his heart, both lungs, all of his bones (all fingers and toes accounted for!). I could also see blood flow to important areas (brain, heart, umbilical cord) and see him yanking on the umbilical cord and sucking his thumb (my ultrasounds last about 20 minutes, we get a lot of face time). I've thought there has been a foot where what's left of my belly button is and I was right, he even stuck his foot up so we could see it on the outside. He was very full of himself and wouldn't stay still at all, the ultra sound tech said it looked like he would be keeping me very busy!
Though a bit TMI, my cervix is still holding strong and measuring pretty well too (another of our high-risk concerns). I do seem to also have trouble gaining weight, but he explained all the why of that being thanks to a funky placenta and said the baby is taking it all and growing, so that is what matters most! After 25 weeks we will begin the watch for Inter-Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) which is partly to make sure that I can stretch out for him to grow big enough! The doctor told us that high-risk or not, he is a beautiful healthy baby and really that's all Alan and I could want.
In other good news, Alan is finally getting to come home tomorrow!!! This means we'll be painting the nursery and putting baby furniture together next week. And by we, I mean Alan and whatever poor fool he can con into helping! But I'll update with some pictures of the room once we get it going!
Much love,
Alan, Carole, & Baby Boy
All of his anatomy scan looks wonderful, you can see both kidneys, stomach, all four chambers of his heart, both lungs, all of his bones (all fingers and toes accounted for!). I could also see blood flow to important areas (brain, heart, umbilical cord) and see him yanking on the umbilical cord and sucking his thumb (my ultrasounds last about 20 minutes, we get a lot of face time). I've thought there has been a foot where what's left of my belly button is and I was right, he even stuck his foot up so we could see it on the outside. He was very full of himself and wouldn't stay still at all, the ultra sound tech said it looked like he would be keeping me very busy!
Though a bit TMI, my cervix is still holding strong and measuring pretty well too (another of our high-risk concerns). I do seem to also have trouble gaining weight, but he explained all the why of that being thanks to a funky placenta and said the baby is taking it all and growing, so that is what matters most! After 25 weeks we will begin the watch for Inter-Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) which is partly to make sure that I can stretch out for him to grow big enough! The doctor told us that high-risk or not, he is a beautiful healthy baby and really that's all Alan and I could want.
In other good news, Alan is finally getting to come home tomorrow!!! This means we'll be painting the nursery and putting baby furniture together next week. And by we, I mean Alan and whatever poor fool he can con into helping! But I'll update with some pictures of the room once we get it going!
Much love,
Alan, Carole, & Baby Boy
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Almost Home...
Well, Alan was set to be home yesterday evening, but just our luck... he's still in Mexico, until Wednesday at least. The other guy fishing with him down there lost his Mother on Thursday night and someone had to stay with the boat, so Alan's trip home is postponed. We're hoping that will make Wednesday that much sweeter, I don't think we've ever been so ready to see each other or spend time together. When he gets home on Wednesday it will be 36 days since we've last seen each other. The good part is that when he goes back to Mexico, he'll only be gone another three weeks. Prayers to Glynn and his family and for safe travel for all.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Name Game...
No, this is not an announcement and if you thought it would be you will be sadly disappointed. But since so many people have asked I will oblige this much information to everyone...
We will not be announcing sweet Baby Boy's name until after his birth, not to anyone. End of Story!
We think we may have a name but what if we see him and think nope, that's not for him or we just plain change our minds. I also do not want the odd people commenting to me on how to improve my child's name or offer their suggestions for a better name since people think that they can say anything the like to a pregnant woman (yes, jerk at Dunkin Dounuts who felt is necessary to tell me I shouldn't be drinking decaf). So please, save yourself the disappointment and don't ask. Though you can confidently know that he will not be called any form of Junior, Jr., etc. all of which highly irritate me! Though if he is born during the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Alan's dockmates have assured me that he can not escape a tournament related nickname and that I can deal with.
There are so few things we have been able to cherish and keep to ourselves thus far between being high-risk and weekly ultrasounds and the barrage of questions and concern (though very appreciated) that we want to savor this and enjoy this time as much as we can. Thanks for understanding, monograming can be done later!
Much love,
Carole, Alan, & Baby Boy
We will not be announcing sweet Baby Boy's name until after his birth, not to anyone. End of Story!
We think we may have a name but what if we see him and think nope, that's not for him or we just plain change our minds. I also do not want the odd people commenting to me on how to improve my child's name or offer their suggestions for a better name since people think that they can say anything the like to a pregnant woman (yes, jerk at Dunkin Dounuts who felt is necessary to tell me I shouldn't be drinking decaf). So please, save yourself the disappointment and don't ask. Though you can confidently know that he will not be called any form of Junior, Jr., etc. all of which highly irritate me! Though if he is born during the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, Alan's dockmates have assured me that he can not escape a tournament related nickname and that I can deal with.
There are so few things we have been able to cherish and keep to ourselves thus far between being high-risk and weekly ultrasounds and the barrage of questions and concern (though very appreciated) that we want to savor this and enjoy this time as much as we can. Thanks for understanding, monograming can be done later!
Much love,
Carole, Alan, & Baby Boy
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