Family Traditions

So I've been thinking a lot about family and family traditions lately. We don't really have many as our own little family. The main one that I can think of is that every year since I got pregnant with Dominick, we load up the car on the day after Thanksgiving and we go to a Christmas tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. We always go with my cousin Nathan and his wife Annie.

Side note: Last year, Annie was pregnant (she had her baby boy about a month ago!!) and Nick said, "Next year there will be 3 babies coming to get a Christmas tree!". He, of course, was meaning our two kids and Nathan and Annie's new baby to be. I was thinking he meant me, and I got defensive and said, "No way!! 2 is plenty!!" and then calmed down when I realized what he meant...how ironic that this year we actually WILL have 3 babies of our own when we go get our Christmas tree...YIKES!!

But that is the main tradition I think we do! We need to do more traditions as a family. Something small even, like game night once a month or a movie day/night. Maybe an annual trip to the zoo, or six flags??

Does anyone have any good ideas for Fun Family Traditions???

Gone... :-(

My sister is gone... :(

She has moved away. She'll still be back in the next few weeks for a bit but basically she's gone. They've sold their house. They've closed on their new house. The movers are delivering all their stuff tomorrow. She's gone.

I'm going to miss her like crazy. We didn't get along when I was younger (that happens when you are 8 years apart) but since I started college we've been great friends. Maybe even best friends.

I'm already missing her.

She's only 3 hours away so I can go visit a lot. I have to get my calendar together and pick a weekend and get down there.

I'm proud of her though. Even though I almost wish she never moved away, I'm crazy proud of her. She got a good job at a good college. She just got her PhD and now we have to call her Dr. That's awesome. She's amazing. :-)

But I'll miss her. Thank goodness for email and cell phones and long weekends away, right?

21 Weeks with Baby #3!

 

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.
That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.


21 weeks! More than halfway there! Woohoo! 

I'm REALLY starting to POP now! There is no question that I'm pregnant! I'm getting HUGE! I'm feeling the baby move a LOT now and I love it. This is one active baby! 

I just realized that I used an exclamation point on almost every sentence I just wrote. Woah. I'll try and tone it down. ;-)

I am feeling pretty good these days but I'm overdoing it every day. I know I am. Tonight Nick and I went through all our clothes and got 5 big trash bags of clothes to donate to Goodwill. We've been moving furniture (more on that later) and cleaning and I keep getting some sharp pains. I know I'm overdoing it. But I feel like I have so much to do!!! I know, story of my life right!? But I'm trying to get a lot done in not a lot of time. 

I'm going to try and tone it down but it's rough. I have a lot of work days coming up and my first round of tests start a week from tomorrow. Hopefully I can stay on top of everything. Yikes. Wish me luck!

Happy 21 weeks little baby! 

School

Since I'm almost done with week 1, I thought I'd just do a quick post to say that I still love it!! I'm really nervous about clinicals this semester though. Last semester I was taking care of patients on just 3 days the whole semester. This semester is two days a week!! And I'll be passing meds to them!! And starting all IVs!!! And drawing all their labs!!! I'm terrified and elated at the same time. I'm sure it will be awesome but I'm a little nervous.

Almost 1 whole week down and just 13 to go in this semester!!! WOAH!!!

20 Weeks - Halfway There!

Your pregnancy: 20 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen).

During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) also contains iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.
If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.


Halfway There! Yay!!

I can't believe it still. I know I've said that a million times and I'll honestly say it a million more. But it's crazy to think in just a few short months we'll be a family of five. That's crazy!! 

I'm still feeling pretty good for the most part. I definitely have my moments of being flat out exhausted but I think I'd feel that anyway with being in school and working and having young kids. So I'm not going to dwell on that. 

I passed my first glucose test! Yay! More good news. Except it was very close to not passing so I'll have to be more careful and hopefully I'll pass the next one that I'll take in about a month. 

I've only gained 6 pounds so far but I think I already look huge! I've never been one to take belly shots but maybe I'll throw one in here since I look so big already. 

Dommie continues to talk about his new baby sister, because he's absolutely convinced it's a girl. I kind of am thinking girl too but we're staying strong on not finding out! Annabelle loves to kiss my belly (and Dom's belly too now that I think about it!). But we're all very excited around here. 

This Thanksgiving we'll have so much to be thankful for!

20 weeks down and 20 to go! We can't wait to meet you Baby #3!!  

Annabelle's Health

So poor baby girl Annabelle has been sick since she's been born basically. She's lived with the humidifier on everyday of her life. She seems to always have ear problems and congestion problems. We've seen allergists and seen the doctor more than I honestly want to (even though we love our pediatrician!).

Today was Annabelle's 1 month follow up from her last appointment (which was also a one month follow up) from a double ear infection. So after two double ear infections and two rounds of antibiotics we were hoping for good news.

Not so much.

Annabelle has yet another double ear infection. As well as throat problems now. Yay...

So we are on our last try for antibiotics. If those don't work, we are off to an ENT doc and most likely getting tubes in her little ears.

Stats update: at her appointment today she was 23 lbs 2 oz.

My poor baby! I feel so bad for her! I'll be happy when this is all over. If she needs tubes, that's fine. Let's do it! Anything to make her better. I just hate her being so congested all the time. She always seems like she's struggling to breathe. But she's always happy through it all! Until this last infection she's been a happy baby despite being sick. But now she's getting a little upset.

Say some prayers that either this antibiotic or getting tubes does the trick. I just want my baby to feel better!!!

Oh and quick update on B-Belles. No walking yet. She's 14 months now and I just want her to walk! :) She's taken steps here and there and will cruise behind a walking toy all day long. But on her own, she'll take two or three steps and decide that crawling is way faster and just drop. Hopefully soon though!!

19 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.


So I've been doing well so far except for this awful cold I can't seem to kick. But things are well here. Baby is about 11 ounces according to my ultrasound yesterday so it's a big kid! I have to do another full comprehensive ultrasound in 4 weeks because baby was at a bad angle and we couldn't see all the things they needed to see. They aren't worried, but want to look again, just to be sure. I'm not surprised they couldn't see everything, this baby was curled up in a tiny ball!! On the profile picture they printed for me, you can see the baby's foot right above his/her head! Stretch out kid! You only have a few more weeks/months until you will have NO room to stretch! 

I actually don't feel big right now. Sometimes I even forget that I'm pregnant to be honest. Not like I actually forget we're having another baby, but I don't realize how far along I am because I try to do things I used to do. Like RUN up the stairs or carry huge baskets of laundry up two flights of stairs. I'm sure in the next month or so I'll blow up and laugh at this post. I do get round ligament pain pretty frequently though because I do forget and get up or move way too quickly. 

Heart rate on Tuesday at my OB appointment was in the 140's and during the ultrasound was 163, so this baby is keeping me going back and forth on whether I'm guessing boy or girl. :) We think we have names narrowed down to two for each sex, but I'm not posting them on here. Not after the things I've been hearing from people about other people's name choices! Our next baby will just be one big surprise for everyone! 

School starts again on Monday so I will probably disappear again for awhile, but I'm going to try and post at least once a week. We'll see if I can at least pull that off... ;)

Happy 19 weeks baby!