30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Just the one small addition from before
Sleep: I'm still getting up multiple times each night. It is hard to feel truly rested because of this.
Best moment this week: Hearing Sophie talk to Josie. Once she bumped my stomach and said, "I sorry, Josie." She also likes telling Josie hello and pointing her out to me (as if I could forget she is there). With prompting, she will kiss my belly and tell Josie she loves her. I hope she is this sweet to her sister when she is actually here.
Miss Anything? Being free of aches and pains
Movement: Josie has been even more active this week than usual. Sunday night while I was reading in bed she exercised for about 30 minutes. My stomach was all over the place! Monday night she was at it again for about 15 minutes.My laid back girl was in party mode apparently.
Food cravings: Nothing really
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Any pregnancy complications?: Today I woke up and felt so sore in my lower abdomen. The pain reminded me of my recovery from my c-section (around 2 or 3 weeks post-op). It hurt to sit up, walk, or stand up straight (walking around helped to loosen the muscles some). If I had more sick days I would have stayed home today; it hasn't been a fun day. I called the doctor's office to see if this was normal. Apparently this is one of the joys of having multiple babies. The nurse explained that all those muscles aren't quite what they used to be, so this it is pretty common to feel like this, especially in the third trimester. She said the culprit is most likely round ligament pain, though there were some other things that could cause the same feelings. I think Josie is just trying to scratch her way out of me. :-/  Hopefully I feel back to normal tomorrow 
Have you started to show yet: Look at the pictures above and below for your answer.
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Getting Josie's room set up. I am getting really, really anxious about this. I guess I have started nesting!

29 Weeks

I had a doctor's appointment today. Just a quick check-up, nothing big. Still, it was a little frustrating. (warning - pregnant girl rant coming on) I have to say, it annoys me when doctors don't look over charts before coming in to talk to you. When she pulled up my information, she zoomed in on the fact that I had a fetal echo performed a few months ago and started questioning why. I explained all of Sophie's history (wouldn't that be in the files though, since it was their office who told me to have the echo done in the first place?). She then told me that everything came back normal from that test. Yeah...I know. I have known that for awhile now. She then told me that my one hour glucose results came back a little elevated. I told her that I knew this and I had already completed the three hour glucose test and that I called and received my results yesterday (I am fine!) She had to search around in her files to confirm that I was correct. I asked her about a growth scan this trimester and she just kinda waved it off, handing me my check-out information while saying we would schedule it around my 32 week visit. I guess that is okay since everything seems fine with Josie so far. Still, with all of the issues we had with Sophie's growth, I would kinda like an update on Josie's growth sooner rather than later. I had another question to ask, but the doctor was already halfway out of the door. I had to call after her to get her to listen to and answer my question. Geez. This was the first time I had seen this particular doctor and I wasn't that impressed by her (can you tell?). I'm glad that I already have my c-section scheduled with my favorite doc!

How far along? 29 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No other new ones
Sleep: I'm up at least twice a night (restroom). I can fall back asleep pretty easily though, which is nice. I still wish I had some uninterrupted sleep though.
Best moment this week: Learning that I passed my three hour glucose test. No gestational diabetes for this girl! I am so happy about this.
Miss Anything? energy
Movement: Yup. I love taking baths so I can see my stomach move around.
Food cravings: Nothing really
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Any pregnancy complications?: Sciatic nerve pain and some hip pain. I also had my first case of swollen legs/feet this past weekend. It was my own fault for wearing knee high boots for a few hours. Gross! 
Have you started to show yet: oh yeah
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: January 30th. Only 10 weeks until I get to see my new baby girl!  



I wanted Sophie to come over to give Josie a kiss. Cosmo came over instead. Hopefully she likes/tolerates Josie as much as she does Sophie.
 

The Results Are In

Monday I went in for my 3 hour glucose test. By 7:30 AM I had registered, had my first blood draw done and was drinking my orange breakfast.

I wasn't feeling that great during the first hour. You only have 5 minutes to drink the glucose drink and then it just kind of sits there. I tried washing it down with water, but that wasn't too helpful. I was a little nervous that I might puke it up right away. I kept drinking water, but finally decided to get up and walk around. I found a hallway nearby during my one hour glucose test that was pretty perfect for pacing around. There were no patient rooms, only random work rooms, so it was mostly empty. Randomly someone with a cart of laundry or other supplies would come through, but that was about it. I put on my headphones (as suggested by one of my friends) and walked around for 15 minutes. Afterwards I had just enough time to use the restroom before I had to have my blood drawn for the second time.

After my second blood draw, I was excited to find out that I didn't have to drink anymore of the glucose drink. I could have sworn that I needed to drink some after each hour of the test, but thankfully my memory was off. That made me feel a lot better. I drank some more water and took off for some more pacing in the hallways. I was asked twice if I was lost by random hospital workers. Ha! After 20 minutes of walking I decided that I should be productive and grade some papers that I brought with me. Before I knew it, it was time for blood draw number three. I didn't puke this time! Josie and I make a good team, I tell you.

I spent my last hour of my test grading papers, pacing the hallways (getting asked once again if I was lost), praying, and drinking water. Time was up before I knew it. The last blood draw came and went (this one more painful than the others - my arm still hurts a little from it), and I finally was able to get some real food. I had to be at school right away, so I wolfed down my lunch on the drive there. After that I made it through the rest of the school day and three hours of conferences after school. I was exhausted when I finally made it home (a little after 7:30 PM), but thankful that I made it through the day.

While I was getting ready for school today, one of my friends sent me a text saying that she hoped I received good news with my glucose test. She told me that she was able to get her results the very next day, so I might be able to get mine today. I was torn - do I call the doctor's office or not? I was really afraid of the results. Part of me wanted to go ahead and get it over with, but the other part of me wanted just one more day of being 'normal,' just in case the results showed I had GD. We had a field trip today though, and on the bus ride back I just couldn't contain myself. I needed to know. I called the doctor's office and the nurse told me that I had passed each round of the test. No gestational diabetes for me! I was so happy I could have cried.

I am so thankful that God decided not to give me GD. I am even happy that he chose for me to go through this testing. It really made me stop to think about some of those bad choices I was making during this pregnancy (like fast food, daily doses of Sprite and a lack of exercise), and what I needed to do to help keep Josie safe. I'm not saying that I have completely cut out fast food (I had McDonald's after my test yesterday) or that I am going to start a big exercise routine. I am going to start making some smaller changes though during these last 10 weeks. Maybe that was the whole point of this situation. That God, he is a smart one. Plus, more experience with needles will hopefully make me less of a pansy when it comes to getting my IV put in and my epidural when I go to have Josie. I shudder every time I think about having to have those things done.

To quote one of Sophie's favorite books, "Thank you, God, for loving me."

2 Points For Honesty

I couldn't resist using a Guster song title as the title for this post. Anyway, yesterday I received my results from my glucose test. I failed by 2 points. Just 2. The same exact amount that I failed by when I was pregnant with Sophie. The nurse who gave me my results had to check the date of my test a few times just to make sure she had the right one. At least I am consistent.

Now I used to be deathly afraid of needles. Everything about the whole drawing blood and getting shots ordeal made me break out into cold sweats and get light headed. After being pregnant with Sophie, I have learned to deal with my fear. I know to ask for butterfly needles since my veins are small and to talk and ramble on about nonsense while the needles are doing their thing so that I can somewhat take my mind off of it. (I warn nurses that I am going to do this, and most of them play along). I still hate needles with a passion, but the fear isn't really there anymore. (There is a point in me saying all this. Keep reading.)

I can remember when I received the failing glucose result when I was pregnant with Sophie....
**Flashback time**
I was sitting on our bed and immediately burst into tears when I got off of the phone. I failed by 2 points and was going to have to take the three hour glucose test. Two stupid points! I didn't want to do the three hour test! I didn't want to even think about possibly having to test myself multiple times a day. I wallowed in self pity for a good three hours, causing a big sore to appear under my nose from all of the wiping with tissues. (The scab from the sore lingered for at least 2 weeks. So gross). My pity party for myself lasted for a few days...all because I didn't want to do the three hour test. So much for being strong and mature.

The three hour test wasn't as bad as I thought. I had to fast for 8 hours and was going to have to have blood drawn 4 times over the course of 3 hours (1 initial draw and then one each hour). Things went fine until the end of my second hour. They drew my blood and I immediately felt myself break into a cold sweat. The whole needle fear and lack of food had finally got the best of me. I told them I felt like I had to puke and the nurses went into action, putting a cold towel on my head and placing a garbage can in front of me. I took this as a sign to go ahead and puke. So I did and apparently that was the wrong choice. No one told me that if you puke, you have to redo the test all over again. At least they didn't tell me this until after I puked. They also told me they would have to throw out all my other blood. Immediately I started crying again. Another three hour test?! The three vials of blood they took already was for nothing?! Ugh!

When I went to see my doctor a day later, he was livid to find out that they threw away my blood. Apparently they could have received enough data from those to see if I had gestational diabetes or not. He looked back over my old results and told me that since I had only failed by 2 points and that I have a weak stomach when it comes to needles, he was going to have me try the one hour test again instead of the three hour one. I immediately fell in love with him. I passed my next glucose test by about 13 points, so I was off the hook. No gestational diabetes for me!
**End flashback*

On my way to have my blood drawn on Wednesday, I had a little conversation with God. I had told him that I wasn't going to ask to not have GD. I will go with whatever his plans are. All I wanted was for Josie to be healthy. So yesterday when I was told that I had failed my test, I just accepted it, even joking around with the nurse on the phone about it. I called Joe to let him know and told him I wasn't going to cry and whine this time. I was feeling pretty okay with things. The failing of the test didn't necessarily mean I had GD, just that I needed that three hour glucose test again. I could do that. I have been through the experience and at least know that if I puke during the test, I will tell the nurses they can't throw out my blood without my doctor's consent. Everything was going to be fine. However, the more I thought about the results, the more uneasy I felt. I won't lie, some tears came. Just a few here and there that escaped, nothing like the three hour fiasco when I was pregnant with Sophie. They were different tears, too. Instead of 'poor me - I have to have more tests done' I was thinking of my poor babies. (Hopefully this all doesn't sound like a 'poor me' kind of thing. That is not my intention at all.) I feel like I am doing/have done a disservice to them. I'm apparently not doing this whole pregnancy thing right. One baby was IUGR, one didn't make it past the first trimester, and the one I am currently carrying might have to face me having GD. There are things that I'm doing that I shouldn't. I know I don't eat the best (fast food and pizza are too yummy and easy) and that some days I drink more Sprite than water. I know I don't really exercise besides working and chasing after Sophie. Still, I thought I was doing better this pregnancy. I don't indulge every pregnancy craving like I did when I was pregnant with Sophie. I don't drink anything caffeinated. Since I am working during my third trimester this time, I am getting more exercise. I have only gained about 15 pounds so far. Still, I need to make some changes. I owe it to my kids.

I had another conversation with God last night while I was in the shower trying to clear my head. I told him that I was going to keep my word from before. I wasn't going to beg him to not give me GD. All I wanted was for Josie to be okay. If I had a choice it would be for my results to be fine, but I was going to leave that all up to him. Even though knowing I have to do the three hour test again bums me out a little, I will do it and do my very best to keep any tears at bay.

I keep reminding myself that I do not necessarily have GD, just some elevated levels that need another look. Hopefully my test on Monday will show that I am fine. However, if I do have GD, then I will deal with it. I'm not saying I won't complain some and that a few more tears won't be shed, but it will be fine. I have some great friends who have recently dealt with GD and they said that it wasn't too bad. If I have it, they will help me out and show me the ropes. If they can make it through, then so can I. Again, I am just going to put this into God's hands and let him choose what happens. I am not going to let myself dwell on it this weekend and I will go in Monday morning, take the test, and put it out of my mind until the results come in. As long as God takes care of Josie and helps her be a strong, healthy little girl then I am happy.

I'm glad I got this all off my chest. Now I can get on with my weekend.

28 Weeks

I have been coming home from work so tired and sore each day. I have been feeling like such a wimp. I have just started my third trimester and I'm not that big yet, so why have I been so tired? I couldn't remember feeling like that when I was pregnant with Sophie. Sure every pregnancy is different and Sophie was a lot smaller, not to mention Sophie is 2 and I am constantly doing things with her. Still, it really bothered me that I already was feeling so worn down. Then I got to thinking about my third trimester with Sophie. It started while I was on summer break from school. While I still had meetings to go to, plans to complete and a classroom to get ready, I didn't have to teach all day. It really does make a huge difference!

In other news, I had my glucose test and RHOgam injection today. Two not so pleasant things out of the way. Hopefully I will pass my glucose test and that will be that. I'm anxious to hear those test results.

How far along? 28 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes. I love those stretchy clothes.
Stretch marks? No other new ones
Sleep: I've had better sleep weeks. Sophie has a double ear infection, so she has been getting up in the middle of the night the past few nights. It has been exhausting, but I keep telling myself that it is preparing me for when Josie gets here. Besides, I'll take sleepless nights if that means I get to comfort my daughter.
Best moment this week: I was able to hear Josie's heartbeat when I went for my RHOgam shot today. I wasn't expecting that, so it really made my day. 
Miss Anything? Walking up the stairs without getting out of breath.
Movement: All the time. Josie loves my right side, so I always feel her moving around over there. 
Food cravings: Taco Bell
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Any pregnancy complications?: Sciatic nerve pain 
Have you started to show yet: yup
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Seeing Josie again. I am supposed to have a growth scan sometime in my third trimester, so hopefully that will be soon.

27 Weeks

Hello third trimester!!

How far along? 27 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No other new ones
Sleep: I am just not feeling rested. I constantly feel tired and worn out, especially during the week when I get home from work. I guess my energy from the second trimester left early. This weekend though I was able to catch up on some sleep. One night I slept 11 hours and the next I slept 10 hours. It was magical, but now I am back to feeling exhausted. Ah well. A small price to pay for the sweet little girl I am carrying.
Best moment this week: Making it past week 26. That is just a scary week to me since I've known some babies who were born at 26 weeks. It has been the week that I have been most dreading actually. Now that we are past that, I feel as if a weight has been lifted. I feel confident that if something were to happen now and Josie had to be born early, she would be fine. (Not that I think she will come early - no indicators of that.)
Miss Anything? just wine
Movement: Yup! Josie is a laid back baby, but she has her hyper moments. She doesn't like it when I lean over at my desk because it pushes against my stomach. For the same reason, she doesn't like if I pull my knees to my chest. She gets excited in the mornings when she hears her sister talking (she doesn't do much until she hears Sophie). If Sophie cries, Josie will start squirming, as if she wants to go comfort her big sister. I think she already idolizes Sophie.
Food cravings: cupcakes!
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Any pregnancy complications?: Sciatic nerve pain
Have you started to show yet: yup
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Getting my glucose test out of the way. I go next Wednesday for that and my RhoGAM shot. Ick.

Sophie did not want to cooperate today. At least she took a quick break from walking her baby to take a picture.