8 days until we meet you - Monday August 24th

Dear Baby Ethan,

They had to weigh me again today.  They do that every Monday here.  I am up to 163 :(.  I have gained 36 pounds so far.  I still think that is not too bad given that I have not been able to work out as I was last time.

Your growth scan showed that you are in the 58th percentile.  You weigh 5 pounds 8 ounces (2500 grams).  During the sonogram you were doing well practicing breathing movements.  You have lots of hair.  Your head is up and you are facing back.  The fluid is 13.6, no change.

Fluid last time on August 3, was 13.8, weight last time was 1800 grams (just over 4 pounds), 40%.

They also took my blood yesterday, and my platelets are finally getting better.  They are up to 130 from 11.

Your daddy came by for some dinner.  He forgot his cell phone, so he had to make an extra trip back.  I felt bad! He has a presentation tomorrow.

Rose is in Lincoln with our family there.  It looks like she is having a good time.  I miss her though, I'm excited to see her tonight!

So far we have spent 40 days in the hospital.  I'm so excited that we are on the home stretch, just 8 days until we meet you! I am praying you stay in me that long, so you can be healthy and strong.   Dear Lord, please help Ethan's lungs, digestive tract, GI tract, bowels, eyes, ears, and all systems to be in great working order.  Please help him to not have asthma and help pumping and breast feeding to go well.  Saint Blaise, Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Antony please pray for my baby Ethan that he would stay inside until September 1st.

Thank you Lord that we have made it this far, we made it to 34 weeks!  Please be with my baby Ethan and help him to be strong and healthy.  Please help him to be able to go home with us on Friday September 4th.  I know he will have to be in the NICU for at least two days for monitoring.  Please help all of us to get able to go to church together on September 6th.

Your birthday will likely be September 1st!  Just 8 days!

Love you,

Mommy

3 months - a bit late

Dear Baby Rose,

In some ways it is a surprise that you are already 3 months old.  The time has flown by.  In some ways though, you are such a treasured part of our lives I cannot imagine our lives without you!

We took you to the doctor today because you have had a nasty cough. You seem to have some drainage that is making your tummy a bit more upset than normal.

Your height is 23.5 inches, you weigh 13 pounds and 14 ounces

You sleep very well.  We do your last feeding around 10 pm, and then you generally sleep until 5 or 5:30 a.m., then you go back to sleep until 7:30 or 8 am, when I nurse you.

You are a morning baby.  You are full of smiles and love to hang out on your changing table a bit.  You always seem to stare just off to the side a bit.  I ask if you are smiling at your guardian angel.   You have started laughing just a little bit.  I'm excited to hear more of that.

You are not rolling over yet, but you can definitely shift onto your side.  You love to be out facing the world.  When we hold you, you prefer to be facing out.  You enjoy laying on your activity mat with things hanging over you, but you still prefer to be up and able to see.  We decided to buy a different bouncy seat that has an bar to hang items down, so you can play and be sitting up a bit more.  You also will sit in your bumbo chair for a bit while I get food ready, or clean your bottles.

Sleep Arrangements

When your daddy is working days, we sleep in your room.  You were sleeping in your crib, and me in the bed.  But, now you have a bit of a nasty cold.  You cough quite a bit sometimes.  So I like to be able to sit you up and pat your back to help you get things down.

Weight and Height

We took you to the doctor on Wednesday to check out your cough.  The doctor said you are fine, and that you weigh 13 pounds and 14 ounces! You are almost 14 pounds.  That means you are almost out of size 1 diapers.

Schedule and Feeding

We are still on the every 3 hours feeding schedule during the day.  You usually nurse between 7 and 8, then have a bottle at 10, 1, and 4.  At 7 we usually nurse.  My supply has been a bit low so when we nurse at night you usually also get a bottle.  You usually wake once at night.  Most nights it is between 4:30 and 5:30 am, so we are quite lucky.  Lately you have started taking a nap in the afternoon after your 1 pm feeding.

You are starting to be awake and alert much more.  You still really love to be held, so I am learning how to do most things 1 handed.  We have not found a carrier that does not make my back feel weird.  You are able to hold up your neck quite well now.  So, hopefully we can try the ergo soon.

I am about 130 pounds.  We have now scheduled a houseboat cruise on Lake Powell for late May.  So I have some serious motivation to lose the last 10-15 pounds!  I have had a hard time working out much with your daddy's tough work schedule.  I have started doing some yoga in the mornings while you sleep around 6:30 a.m.   Hopefully I can do more of that.

We love you baby Rose! You are such a sweet reminder of God's love.  We are so lucky that he has entrusted you to us.

Love you!

xoxo

Mommy

Safe Inside

Dear Baby Rose,

I'm up at 3 am with a bit of insomnia.  I was so tired during the day today, I went to bed about 9 pm! Then I woke up....probably at 12 pm.  I finally gave up trying to get back to sleep about 1 am so that your dad could get some rest before his long day tomorrow.  He has to head to work at 3 am.

I can't believe you will be here any time now! You're due to be born on 11-14.  If you are not here by 11-21 we will have to induce labor.  I have been lucky enough to be "on my own" for awhile now.  But, that means that my schedule is quite important.  I was only able to keep it clear until the first week of December.  I'm so grateful that your Ummuchi will be able to stay with us for most of December.

I have been thinking more about how I am so ready to meet you, but there will be a biter-sweetness to the end of our closeness when you are born.  I pray that we will always be close.  But, now is the only time that I will know exactly where you are and that you are mostly safe :).  Granted, there are risks of the cord getting wrapped around your neck or other concerns, but generally I know that no one can hurt you while you are inside me.  My mom had a fun thought the other day.  You will be one of the few people on this earth that have heard my heartbeat from the inside :).

I am so thankful that you have been healthy and safe so far.  We pray every day that you will continue to be a healthy and blessed baby.

I can't wait to meet you.  I hope that we are always somewhat close.  I know that you will want to be your own person.  Your dad is VERY independent.  If you end up like him, I might not see much of you :(.  I will try my best to respect your personal space baby Rose. Your dad and I were hanging out in your nursery the other day, just thinking about what kind of person you might be.  Your dad and his sisters rarely went home once they left for college. I hope you don't end up doing that! I'm sure we also will not go the way of my parents, who required me to be one at least ONE WEEKEND NIGHT every week.  That was a tough pill to swallow during my time at KU.

You are still moving around quite a bit.  It makes me feel better that all is going well when you move.  So thank you for that :).

Symptoms

 I have started having some issues sleeping again.  Maybe I just need to go back to the chiropractor.  I have had discomfort behind my hips.  That might be due to the urinary tract infection I found out that I have now.  I had been feeling burning when I would urinate at some points.  The preliminary stick test at the Midwife's office showed I might have one.  The test to confirm I have one would have had some cost, and I would not have found out until Monday.  By then I might have had a nasty fever.  Apparently a UTI in pregnancy can be bad because it can cause fever, early labor, and low birth weight.  Also, they would immediately put in a catheter at the hospital during labor, which would be no fun.  The midwife proscribed Microbid.  I was a bit scared to read that it can cause a blood issue in babies.  I talked to the Midwife and apparently this would only happen if some enzyme issue runs in our family AND you are born within 48 hours of me taking the medication.  We are still 2 weeks from your due date, so I am hoping I will finish the 7 days and have a few days to spare before you come.  I am praying that you will be safe and not at all affected by this!

Weight and Fitness

I have gained WAY too much weight.  I am at about 162 pounds right now.  I started at about 124.  I should have been at 115.  I was 119 in November of last year for Maureen's bridal shower.  Then I gained a few pounds over last Christmas.  So I will really want to lose at least 50 pounds after you are born to get to 115.  Hopefully 25 of that will be fairly quick after the birth and fluid goes away.

I have still been able to walk 3 miles several times a week.  This week has been pretty busy.  I need to get some walking in over this weekend.

I love you Baby Rose! I can't wait to meet you.

Only 9 weeks to go! Almost 31 weeks, wrong side up

Dear Baby Rose,

You seem to be growing and have been a lot more active lately.  I have had some allergy and head cold issues in the last week or two. That made sleeping very difficult last week.  I even ended up taking some Tylenol and sudafed to help ease my symptoms.  I am still dealing with a lot of drainage.  You were VERY active when I was taking those medications.  I appreciated the knowledge that you were doing well.

I had an appointment with our normal midwife Jill Dolberg on Tuesday of last week.  You are growing well.  My tummy is on target at 30 cm.  The last time we went you were laying across my belly.  Now you might be sitting with your head up, which is no good! You are supposed to be head down.  If you don't turn by 36 weeks we will have to do some exercises to get you to turn.  If that doesn't work we will do an aversion where they will push on my tummy to try and get you to move. We might also have to do a cesarean if you never end up turning.  I just want you to be safe, and stay in there until you are ready to come out! It gives me a lot of peace to know that you would be alright even if you were born now.  Baby Rhys (my best friend Shea's baby) was born in Ireland on August 26th.  He was 31 weeks along.  He is doing very well now.



The weekend

This last weekend your Noni came to town.  She is working on a quilt for you.  We went and found some more fabrics for the quilt.  It will have some fabrics from the wedding ring quilt that she made for your dad and I when we got married.  We went to a few garage sales, and the International Quilting Study Center at UNL.  We had some frozen yogurt at Kelly's yogurt too.

Exercising and Aches/Pains

I have been doing pretty well walking around your neighborhood 4-5 times three times a week.  I usually try to do the 5 unless I start having pain.  Some days my back is very sore.  It seems to be better if I did my walking in the morning.  My ribs have been quite sore.  My weight is about 149 pounds right now.  Definitely the most I have ever weighed! My face and arms are pretty much the same.  I have some fluid/fat in my legs, and hips. They have definitely grown.

Movement and Patterns

I read somewhere that you are awake for an hour, then sleep for an hour at this stage.  I think that is true.  If I wake up in the night it can be hard to get back to sleep if you are during one of your waking times.  There is always an active time in the afternoons before and after lunch.  I don't feel as many kicks now.   It is mostly just your head poking up through my tummy sometimes.

Conclusion

Only 65 days until you get here! I am so excited to meet you.  I am still worried that I don't know what life will be like.  But I know we will love you and find a new normal.  Your daddy went on a motor cycle trip last week.  I made him write a letter to you in case something happened to him. Thank the Lord, he safely returned.  He is in Fort Worth this week for training.  He has one more trip before you come.  He is going to a friend's wedding in St. Louis the week of your baby shower.  After that, we will be ready for you!

Love you Baby Rose!

Mommy

Pains - 27 weeks - almost 7 months

Dear Baby Rose,

It has been so much fun to feel you move lately.  You certainly have some days that are more active than others.  Your movements feel like little involuntary movements in my tummy, kind of like an extra heard beat that happens randomly.

Pain

I hate you complain, because you are such a blessing, but I would like an accurate record so that if you are ever blessed with a little sibling I will know what was happening when! In the last few days I have started having quite the aching back.  For the last several weeks I have had pain in some of my upper ribs.  I wonder if that means you are in there pushing out!

Weight

As of Friday by weight gain was back in the normal range! I am so glad.  I have been trying to walk 3 miles at least 2 - 3 times a week, and not eat dinner if I am not hungry.  As of Friday my weight was 145.  That is is approximately 22 pounds of weight gain at 27 weeks along.

Thirst

I have been so thirsty lately! Since I got pregnant I usually have a cup of ice water with me.  I usually do pretty well drinking it.  Even with that water intake, the last few days I have woken up so thirsty and even with a headache!  I really hope that does not mean that I might have gestational diabetes.  I have that test coming up on Tuesday of this week.

Your nursery is all ready for you! We have started buying diapers for you.  Your Daddy is so funny.  We have 500 size 1 diapers, some size 3 diapers, but NO newborn or size two diapers! He thought there was enough of an overlap on sizing that we did not need those ones.

We have also been working on scheduling with your Auntie and Uncle for events we have coming up in November/December.  I can't wait for you to be here! Less than 3 months now.

Love you,

Mommy

24 weeks and health weight gain

Hi Baby Rose!

You have been moving pretty consistently lately.  I still can't feel it on the outside that often.  It happened a few times last night as I was getting to sleep.  But I didn't want to wake up your daddy, as he has to get up very early each day at 3:30 am!

Weight Gain

In the last few months I have gained a bit too much weight.  I guess I was enjoying fruits and desserts a bit too much.  I am now 24 weeks along, and I have gained 19 pounds! That is a bit too much.  I am supposed to be more at 12 pounds gained perhaps.  For example, the momma below from a blog that I read called the Daily Garnish has only gained 16 - 17 pounds and she is 27 weeks!

Swelling

I have started to have some issues with swelling. I have felt a "heaviness" in my legs and the skin felt tight in the evenings for awhile now. I thought it could be the feeling of swelling, but my ankles etc didn't look big or anything. At home I have a standing desk and stood up for four hours doing work for an accounting class I am taking. Apparently that was a bad idea! I could literally feel the fluid shaking around as I walked down to bed.  I am trying to drink more water today, and will make sure to elevate my feet on a larger pillow while I sleep tonight.  I am really hoping I don't have to start wearing tight hose!

Exercise

I am still able to work out consistently.  Last week we were in Liberal the first part of the week.  I walked a few times when we first arrived.  It certainly was not the 3 miles I am used to.  I worked out on Sunday after we got back and did 3.5 or more miles and then did some work with weights, and some front and side planks.  I also did a bit of running at 4.6.

This has been a busy week, so I was not able to work out again until this morning.  I was only able to do 1.7 miles in 25 minutes.  Maybe I can work out again tomorrow! It's just hard to get up in the morning at 6 or 6:30.  I was actually able to run a bit on the treadmill this morning.  I was only at 4.6, but it felt good.

Midwife

I had an appointment on Monday with our Midwife Jill Dolberg.  Apparently my tummy is right at 23 centimeters, so I am right on track.  Your heart beat is slowing down as you get bigger like it's supposed to.  I got to hold a model of you at their office.  You're getting big little girl!  Next month I have go to for the one hour glucose test to be sure I do not have gestational diabetes.  I will really be praying that I don't!

We are so thankful that this has been an uneventful pregnancy and that you are growing and healthy.  My best friend Shea in Ireland has had a very difficult pregnancy.  She is only 2 weeks ahead of me, and is already leaking amniotic fluid. We are praying all goes well for her and the baby. 

Love you!

Mommy

19 weeks (almost 5 months)

Hi Kuti!

Your dad and I went to the doctor on Friday and got to hear your heartbeat on Friday.  Your head is down very low in my pelvis on the left side.   I think all of you is on the left.  The left side of my belly seems to be a bit bigger! I have taken a few pictures to show where you are now!  We also got to hold a model baby that is the size you are now.  You're getting bigger! It takes two hands now to hold you :).

It's getting pretty hot outside now.  Your dad and I actually sleep in the guest room in the basement when it gets hot like this.  We've been thinking about where you'll sleep down here.  The basement is also our movie room where we have a big screen on the wall to watch TV and movies.  I think your pack-n-play crib will fit in just fine down here.

I am ready to feel you move! I know I will have quite a few months where you will probably make me feel uncomfortable with all of your movement. But right now, I can't wait to know that you're in there and moving around!

With the hot weather I have been drinking less tea.  I have had a soda here and there.  Now caffeine really affects me.  I had half a cup of coffee yesterday and it kept me up all night! So, no more coffee until November for me.

I am also super excited to find out whether you are a girl or boy! I do love surprises.  But I just cannot wait another 5 months to find out.  I need to mentally prepare either way.   We are having a sonogram to check all of your internal structures on July 9th.  We will as the person doing the sonogram to write on two cards whether you are a girl or boy.  We are heading down to Liberal to see your grandparents on July 12th.  So we will take one card to Cupcakes & More in Lincoln to have them do gender reveal cupcakes to take with us! I am so excited.

You can hear us now! Apparently by 19 weeks your ears are fully formed.  I have started trying to pray aloud and talk to you more.  I talked to your dad's mom today, you'll call her Ummachi, and she reminded me to read bible verses to you.  I'll have to do that tonight.

Jazz in June

Last Tuesday was Jazz in June in Lincoln.  I really enjoyed going to all of the concerts last year.  I missed the first two in June due to weather and Pistol's dental surgery.  Your dad and I have planned to go this coming Tuesday.  I am hoping to take you along next year!  You will be seven months old! I hope that you'll enjoy being outside and listening to jazz.

Exercising

Exercising has been going well.  For the last month or two I have been doing 3+ miles at least three times a week.  I started out running during commercials.  I started to feel some odd pains and it was a bit uncomfortable.  So I cut out the running.  Now I just walk 3 miles.  I have gained about 10 pounds now.  I am only supposed to gain another 4 over the next 8 weeks.

How many Weeks are in a Trimester?

First Trimester: Starts with the first day of your last menstrual period  and ends with the last day of the 13th week thereafter.

Second Trimester: Starts at the beginning of the 14th week and lasts through the 27th week of pregnancy.

Third Trimester: Starts at the beginning of the 28th week and ends with labor.  We will be in the third trimester on August 22!

From here.

Health Weight Gain

I am now 19 weeks in.  So that would be a max of 4.5 pounds in the first trimester (through thirteen weeks), then 1 pound over each of the last six weeks would be 6 pounds.  So I am potentially at the higher side of the range having already gained 10 pounds.  Hopefully I can keep the weight gain in check!

Healthy Weight Gain by Trimester

First trimester: 1 pound per month ~ (about 4lb) in the first three months.
Second trimester: 1 pound per week for the next three months ~ (12 - 14lb) in total.
Third trimester: around 1 pound per week ~ (12lb) over the last three months.
From here.

I can't wait to meet you Kuti!