The Other Shoe Dropped

After Wednesday's appointment I've been keeping a watch on my blood pressure with the help of our school nurse and my husband. (They both have been so great) My top number lowered and stayed around the 120s. My bottom number was generally 90 though. Josie has been moving up a storm and there has been no swelling in my hands or face, so I haven't been that concerned. Still, I was curious what the doctor would say.

Friday, after picking Sophie up from the baby sitter's, I headed back to the doctor's office. Sophie was once again excited to witness the check-up, and provided a lot of entertainment for the nurses and doctor (which is good since it was 5:00 and we were their last appointment). As my stats were being taken, Sophie kept telling the nurses, "Mommy get a check up!" Her cuteness didn't completely lower my blood pressure though, which came in at 130/90.

The doctor who I saw today is the one that will deliver Josie (he also delivered Sophie). After looking at my blood pressure (both the ones from his office and the ones I've been keeping track of), he told me they weren't ideal but nothing drastic needed to happen. We're just going to keep monitoring it. He has ordered some blood work to be done on Monday and told me that I would need to start non stress tests (NSTs) twice a week, also starting Monday. He also wants me to continue to have my bp checked at school and at home and to call him if it raises above 160/100.

I've mentioned a few times on here (and to people in person) that during this pregnancy I've been happy that nothing has gone wrong, but I've also been 'waiting for the other shoe to drop.' Things were going too well, especially compared to my other pregnancy. It was making me pretty anxious (waiting for something bad to happen is pretty stupid. I need to be more optimistic. People who've had issues with their pregnancies understand what I mean at least). Now that this blood pressure thing has come about, I feel that anxiety going away (maybe that is why my blood pressure is up!). I don't have to wait around for something to go wrong anymore. I am so thankful though that this isn't anything extreme and that I will be monitored closely to make sure nothing goes wrong. I am also thankful for the great group of doctors that I see for taking care of me and my baby.

36 Weeks

Welcome month 9!

I had another check-up today. I was seeing the 'worry wart' doctor today, which always makes me nervous. He is a great doctor, but he is a lot more cautious than the other docs. This can be a really good thing, but not always. Anyway, I go to have my vitals done and wouldn't you know, my blood pressure was up. 144/89 to be exact. My blood pressure has been great this whole pregnancy, though last week it elevated a little (still in the normal range). As soon as I saw what my bp was, I mentally prepared for a fight with the doctor. (After I had Sophie, my bp was high and this same doctor sent me to the hospital to be monitored, telling me I was probably going to have to be admitted. I wasn't admitted, and the doctor who saw me over there kind of rolled his eyes when I told him who sent me over.)  After 40 minutes of waiting in my exam room (naked from the waist down with a paper gown over me, mind you), the doctor came in. I immediately asked if I was going to have to fight with him about the blood pressure. He seemed a little flustered by my comment - oops! Surprisingly though, he didn't make a huge fuss. I told him that I would have our school nurse check me each morning, and Joe check me in the evenings. He liked my idea, telling me to call if I was over 140 or 90 again. He does want me to come back in on Friday to be checked again. I wasn't about to argue. As long as he doesn't try to put me on bed rest or take Josie early, I am fine with that.
(Side note: The doctor asked me if anything could be causing me stress. I told him that I am a teacher, and he just gave me a blank look. I thought that was the perfect answer, and I'm sure any of my teacher friends would agree with me.)

How far along? 36
Maternity clothes? Yes. Some maternity shirts are getting a little short on me, like the one in this week's pictures. Time to retire this one.  
Stretch marks? There are additions to 5 old ones now. I'm not surprised though, since Josie already weighs more than Sophie did at birth. (I'm so glad that Josie isn't IUGR like her big sister, that I will gladly take these stretch marks and more).
Sleep: I am even more exhausted now that school is back in session. I miss my nap times. Sleep at night has been okay though. I've been sleeping on the couch for the most part this week since it is the most comfortable for my back.
Best moment this week: Joe finished fixing up our laundry room! What a great hubby! First he painted the room. Then he raised the original shelf above the washer and dryer and also put in another one that is lower. Now I can actually reach things without stretching. That will be so helpful while I am recovering from my c-section. He also put in a coat rack where the closet used to be so that we can hang up our coats and bags. It is so nice to not see our kitchen chairs loaded up with coats and bags.
Miss Anything? Breathing normally when I walk upstairs.
Movement: She just gave me a hard kick to the right side, so yeah.
Food cravings: Chocolate and Fruity Pebbles.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week.
Any pregnancy complications?: My sciatic nerve has decided to be nice to me this week. However, my body decided it was not going to let me have a problem free week. Yesterday, I came home from work to find that my feet were super swollen! So gross. They swelled today, too, though not as bad as yesterday. My blood pressure rising is another fun complication this week. (Maybe that is going to be the issue that I have been waiting for/fearing. Who knows)
Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah. One co-worker gave me a baby gift earlier this week. She told me, "I wanted to give this to you now because I really don't think you are going to last as long as you think you are." Thanks? (This same person made a similar comment a few weeks ago. I don't think I look like I could pop any day now, but maybe I am wrong....)
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Finishing up our to-do list so that I don't stress over anything when Josie is born.  

35 Weeks

I had another check-up today. Everything looks and sounds good. Sophie went with me and was really excited about it. While we were getting ready in the morning and in the car on the way over, she kept talking about going to the doctor's for Josie's check-up. I told her that she would get to hear Josie's heart beat again, and she excitedly repeated that, too. She was so good the whole time we were there. She sang a little from Doc McStuffins ("time for your check-up...") as the nurse weighed me and checked my blood pressure. She sat patiently on the table with me while we waited for the doctor. When he came in, he talked to Sophie and moved her to a chair and she just watched him and munched on pretzels while he worked. We got to hear that amazing little heart beat, which made Sophie happy. The doctor told her that was her sister's heart and she replied, "Josie's heart beat!" Sophie continued to wait patiently on her chair while I was tested for GBS, which surprised both the doctor and me (I thought for sure she would protest like she did earlier in my pregnancy when I had to be examined). The doctor told me what a great little girl I have, saying he thinks that she will be a wonderful big sister. I think so, too!

How far along? 35 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Just small additions to old ones.
Sleep: I have been napping so much over winter break. Poor Sophie has probably been bored as I haven't had the energy to get off the couch much during the day. Then again, she loves her cartoons so she probably enjoys my lack of energy since it means she can watch more of them. I've been sleeping on the couch more at night, too, since that is more comfortable for my back. I start back to work tomorrow, so we'll see how I do without my naps.
Best moment this week: Hearing Sophie get more excited about Josie. She talks about her more and seems to understand a little better than she used to. For example, earlier this week I was sorting through Sophie's clothes so that all of the ones that don't fit her anymore could be put away. She was helping me and would say, "This for Josie," as we stored away the clothes. So cute! Also, ringing in the New Year with Joe and Sophie (and Josie) was pretty wonderful.
Miss Anything? feeling rested
Movement: All the time. She has hiccups daily and likes to kick at my right side. 
Food cravings: Greasy McDonald's. My stomach does not enjoy that though, and I usually feel gross after I eat it. Not worth indulging my craving.
Anything making you queasy or sick: see above
Any pregnancy complications?: Nothing besides my normal sciatic nerve pains. It is crazy to me how different this pregnancy is from the last one. Last time I was put on bed rest around 35 weeks and this time all is well. I've been so tired lately though that I started to want to be put on bed rest. Then I remembered how boring that was and how much I hated it, and quickly gave thanks to my good health this time around. I'm so glad that Josie is doing well. I will take any aches, pains, and exhaustion so that she stays healthy.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Seeing Josie, of course! 2013 means that she is almost here. Only 4 more weeks to go! 

34 Weeks

We have been checking things off our giant list of things to do this week. The crib is all ready. Newborn and 0-3 month clothes are cleaned and put away. Pre-admission stuff at the hospital is taken care of. We still have a lot more to do before we are really ready for Josie to get here, but we are making progress.

How far along? 34 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yeah - see comments from previous weeks
Sleep: I can't get enough of it. I feel so cranky due to being tired. Now that I am on winter break I can nap with Sophie at least. I have no idea what I am going to do when break is over.
Best moment this week: Christmas! I can't wait until next year so that we can celebrate Christmas as a family of 4!
Miss Anything? sleep
Movement: Always
Food cravings: Sweets. My students gave me a ton of chocolate for Christmas, so I am covered in this area.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just this stupid cold that I came down with. I am pathetic when I am sick, so add that to my already exhausted state and you will get meltdown city! Poor Joe and Sophie for having to put up with me this week.
Any pregnancy complications?: My sciatic nerve has been working overtime this week. It has also decided to get my right knee in on the action. I've broken down and taken pain meds (safe ones for pregnancy) a few different days. They really help, but I hate taking medicine. Besides that, my hormones and exhaustion have been taking over lately. I become grouchy and easily annoyed at least twice a week, which then leads into a crying spell. I have no control over it, which frustrates me even more.
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: January 30th - 5 more weeks!

Sophie was so tired, much like me in last week's picture.

33 Weeks

How far along? 33 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yup. I can still mix in pre-pregnancy comfy pants and shirts, though the shirts are generally too short now. If I don't have a long enough tank top on underneath, my belly hangs out. Gross!
Stretch marks? Yeah. I am more veiny this time around though.
Sleep: I have started taking naps again. I'm always so tired!
Best moment this week: Seeing Josie again! The growth scan ultrasound went great! Josie is measuring in the 44th percentile and she is an estimated 4 lb 3 oz already! (just 4 oz away from Sophie's birth weight at 37 weeks). Her heart beat was strong, there was fluid in her stomach and kidneys which means that she has been practicing breathing (her daily hiccups already let me know this), and everything else looked as it should. Phew! She also appears to already have a ton of hair. The technician kept commenting on it. "Oh, my that is a lot of hair!" (while pointing to a bunch of white stuff around Josie's head.) I guess this means I won't have to glue bows in her hair like I did for Sophie. We might just have another goofball on our hands, too. At one point during the ultrasound, Josie looked straight at us (you know what I mean) and stuck her tongue out. It makes me smile just thinking about it!
Miss Anything? sleep
Movement: I love watching my stomach move underneath my shirts. I'm pretty sure it freaked some of my friends out earlier this week though. ha!
Food cravings: sweets
Anything making you queasy or sick: Earlier this week I had to leave my math class because my orange juice wasn't sitting well with me. I haven't puked in months, so it threw me for a loop. My sweet students were concerned about me. I love my other kids!
Any pregnancy complications?: At the start of the week my left cheekbone was killing me (as if I was getting a sinus infection). That isn't really pregnancy related, but when you combine it with sciatic nerve problems, back aches, breathlessness, leg cramps, and exhaustion you get one unhappy preggo. Luckily that symptom went away after a few days and now I am just left with all the other ones (I've been dealing with those, so no biggie). I think I am about to get a cold though, so that should be fun.
Have you started to show yet: of course
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Finishing Josie's room. I have changed my mind again and decided that Sophie should keep her old room. We tried having her sleep in her new bed in the other room, but it only lasted one night. After that she wanted to go back to her old room with her crib. So, this past weekend my dad helped me move the crib over to Josie's new room and Sophie's toddler bed to her room. (Sophie is sleeping much better now and hasn't asked for her crib). We still have a ton to do in Josie's room, but I love that it is starting to come together.

Don't mind how awful I look here. I am beyond exhausted here and starting to feel sick! Only one more day until Winter Break at school. It can't come soon enough.

Our Family

32 Weeks

I had to bribe Sophie with candy to pose with me. She wanted to watch Mickey Mouse instead.

How far along? 32 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? I looks like there are small additions to two other old stretch marks. Sophie was only a 4lb 7oz baby at 37 weeks, so I'm sure that more additions are in my future.
Sleep: I am still very tired each day. I'm still getting up multiple times a night. However, when I sleep on the couch with a cushion right behind my back I don't get up (or only get up once). The couch might be my new bed here very soon.
Best moment this week: I had a good (and quick) doctor's appointment yesterday. Things were looking good with me, which is always good to hear. The doctor predicted that Josie will be in the 40-50th percentile. We have a growth scan next Tuesday, so we will see if he is correct.
Miss Anything? Walking without my sciatic nerve acting up and sleep.
Movement: Lots. Her new favorite thing is pushing on and kicking my bladder. Not so nice.
Food cravings: Ice cold water
Anything making you queasy or sick: No
Any pregnancy complications?: I've been overly emotional the past two weeks, mostly on the weekends. My sciatic nerve has been acting up again as well.
Have you started to show yet: obviously
Gender: Girl!
Looking forward to: Seeing Josie on Tuesday! Less than a week!