Things are getting real!

The last few weeks have been crazy busy at work and at home. We're still trying to get back to our school year routine. Reese loves napping at daycare so much that she's been struggling to go to bed at night. So, that means long evenings for us without much time to decompress/relax after work. Elliott has also been busy working on finishing our basement, plus finishing up some summer projects outside. One good thing is that since we've been so busy, the weeks are just flying by! I've been frantically writing lists of things that need to get done before the baby comes...and for some reason those lists are growing, not shrinking...

I had my 28 week appointment last week. The doctor measured the baby for the first time and of course, he was perfectly on track. Reese always measured exactly on track, so I didn't expect anything different this time around. This pregnancy has been very similar to hers. His heart rate was 155 bpm, which the doctor commented must have been due to the fact that I had just done the glucose screening and he was enjoying all the sugar. We passed the glucose screener- thank goodness- one step closer! Between the glucose drink, drawing blood, and getting my whooping cough vaccination, it was quite the appointment. I'm now scheduled to see the doctor every 3 weeks until the last month.

Just a little update on my heart rate issue... After doing the heart monitor test and the ultrasound of my heart, the cardiologist believes my heart rate is high because of the pregnancy and that it will go down when the baby is born. She said my heart is beating that fast because it needs to right now and that it's not putting any added strain on my heart to be pumping that fast since my body knows what's best for itself. All of the tests ruled out any other issues with my body/heart. One thing that did come up on the ultrasound is that I have a small hole in my heart. Everyone has a hole in their heart before they are born and those holes usually close as soon as you breathe for the first time. However, for 30% of the population, the hole doesn't close all the way. Most people would never even know if they had this condition. If it was a large hole, it would need to be closed, but it's very small and causes no damage or stress. The only real impact it'll have on me is that I cannot go deep sea diving because of it. Darn. Not on my bucket list anyways. So, I'm not supposed to worry about my heart anymore per the cardiologist's orders. In fact, I was inquiring about buying one of those finger pulse things and she told me to forget about it and quit taking my heart rate every day because it would only stress me out.

Love this picture

Biggest Cravings: Sweets! I've found excuses to make lemon bars, brownies, cinnamon sugar muffins and chocolate chip cookies in the last few weeks. Elliott & Reese are spoiled & happy.   
Biggest Food Aversions: No big food aversions, but I've been trying to eat smaller meals because I hate feeling too full.
Clothes: Thanks to my friends Lindsey & Mandi, I have now have a pretty decent wardrobe of dresses/skirts. I really dislike maternity pants, so I'm avoiding those like the plague.
Body: I've been feeling pretty great. I'm hoping to avoid the sciatic nerve issues this time around. I still have a cough, but my doctor told me to try Zantac because she thought it was heartburn related and what do you know- it really helps. It's strange to me that a cough is a sign of heartburn, but I'm happy I found some relief.
Energy/Mood: Still emotional and a bit grumpier these days. This probably has a lot to do with being tired and stressed from work.
Movement: Feeling him move never gets old...even when it's a little painful! Watching my stomach shift back and forth is the oddest and coolest thing ever.
Sleep: I've been using The Bump Nest pillow more and more these days. I've been tired enough that I've still been sleeping pretty dang well. No complaints!
Best Moment this week: Reese has been very sweet lately when talking about her baby brother. She asked me the other day when he was coming out. She also keeps telling us we need to get him a car seat and a bed because he's not sharing with her. :-) And she keeps wanting to pick out a toy for her baby brother. I'm sure we will have our moments of jealousy when he comes, but it's so fun to hear her get excited about anticipating his arrival. I love that she's old enough to somewhat understand what's happening. AND... we've finally decided on a name (I think)...but we're not sharing yet...

Miss Anything?  A glass of Riesling or Gewürztraminer wine after a long work week.    
Looking forward to: Continuing to work on the nursery...progress in the basement...and cooler weather....

3 months to go!

I'm winding up my 2nd Trimester, which means only 3 months until we meet our little guy. The beginning of August is always a crazy time with school starting back up and this year is no exception.

My last doctor's appointment (with Dr. Lowden) was back at 23 weeks. It was a quick check up, but she did comment that the baby was very active with a heart rate of 166! Evidently, high heart rates run in the family! :-)
I go back to the cardiologist tomorrow for a follow up. In the last few weeks I've had an ultrasound of my heart and I wore a heart monitor for 24 hours. This follow up appointment should let me know if there are any concerns with my heart and hopefully we can wrap this whole thing up once and for all!

Reese thinks The Bump Nest pillow is pretty great!



She drags this thing everywhere!

Here's a picture of the heart monitor I had to wear. Fun stuff!

 

Biggest Cravings: Ice cream! Specifically, Braums Chocolate Almond and Mint Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Buster Parfaits.   
Biggest Food Aversions: I should be avoiding spicy foods because I'm starting to get heartburn again, but I've been fighting through it!
Clothes: Since I'm back at work, I've been trying to find cute work clothes to wear. It's still so hot and I don't have a huge summer maternity wardrobe, since Reese was born in January. I've been relying on maxi dresses/skirts and regular dresses in a size bigger. I'm looking forward to cooler weather!
Body: I've been having some minor back pain and my feet have started to swell just a little at the end of the day. My cough has also been lingering for about a month now, so I'm kind of over that! However, overall, I'm feeling pretty good!
Energy/Mood: My energy is good and I can pretty much cry at the drop of a hat these days.
Movement: This kid is doing somersaults around the clock! I can feel his elbow nudging me and he's wiggling into my ribs some too.
Sleep: Decent! I broke out the pregnancy pillow this week too. At the beginning of this pregnancy I bought The Bump Nest pillow and it does not disappoint. I get too hot to use it all the time, but it's good for those times when I can't find a way to get comfortable. 
Best Moment this week: Elliott and I have been working on the nursery for the last few weeks and we finally finished our ceiling project! Pictures coming soon!

Miss Anything?  Summer! Our family has been adjusting to our school year schedule and it hasn't been fun. But, the best thing about going back to work is that I appreciate every second of time I got to spend with Reese this summer.  
Looking forward to: Transforming the playroom into a nursery! The dresser arrives this week!