This boy is BIG!!!

We had an ultrasound last week to see just how big. They estimated a little over 6 pounds at that point. Today, my OB says he's probably around 7.5 pounds. I still have a month until our scheduled c-section date.

But I'm having a lot of contractions, some of them pretty intense. They stopped the labor last Friday night with medication. I've been contracting on and off since then. It was rough again last night, but so far we're able to hold this baby off.

As I told my doctor this morning... I don't really like this baby boy right now. I love him and I'll melt as soon as I hold him, but he's killing me and I'm just doing everything I can to keep him in there a week or two longer.

(At that point, we'll go ahead and do the c-section early. But right now, we might risk a week or two in the NICU if he's born this early.)

So mommy will continue to soak in the tub each night, for 15-20 minutes of buoyant relaxation. Those are my only comfortable moments of the day. I've got pain medication to help me get through the night... and the daytime hours at work keep my busy enough that I forget how much it hurts.

It's not kidney stone pain, mind you! But it's annoying and it makes my blood pressure rise and I sweat and get nauseous, etc... I'll manage it for a few more weeks... then my boy can hear about it for the rest of his life!!! He was a pain in the *** before he was even born!

Pain in the Back!!!

This boy is trying to kill me!

He's putting so much pressure on my lower body, I can barely move! Sleeping has become an adventure all it's own. We have enough pillows in the bed for a harem! Troy just shoves them over to my side and tries to help me get them all situated, just so, before I fall asleep. Of course, it's only a matter of time until I have to pee. That's usually a 3-4 times nightly event.

Friday night, I felt my left leg shaking a bit as I left work and got into my car. By the time I got to Laura's house. I couldn't carry Ella to the car or get her buckled in. (thank God for Laura's help!) By the time we got home, Ella had to climb out of the car on her own and help Mommy get into the house.

Troy found us in the living room where Ella was enthralled by ELMO videos. Mommy was stuck on the couch, unable to sit up, stand up, or move in any way, and about to wet her pants. Troy tried to sit me up, lift me up, even stretch my leg. I think a couple of screams led to our call to the OB's office.

Turns out, the boy is putting pressure on a nerve and causing pain and numbness in my lower back, butt, and leg. I got some great pain medicine... but otherwise, there's not much they can do. We tried ice, we tried heat, we tried baths in the jacuzzi with the jets, I tried to stay off my feet as much as possible. Really, the best trick, was kneeling on all fours and just letting my belly hang down. It's not the most comfortable position (or attractive) but it does take all the pressure from the boy and my belly off my back. At least for a few minutes, I'm pain free.

I see the OB again tomorrow morning, so we're hoping for more answers at that point.

the Boy... in 3D

He's already stubborn and uncooperative and he's not even here yet! Baby boy Robinson must be taking lessons from his big sister.

We went for a 3D ultrasound today and he started face down, buried into my back. That explains why my back is killing me most of the time. He hasn't done the flip to put his head down toward the ground yet... but I'm having another c-section anyway, so that's not a huge deal.

Troy poked at my stomach, I rolled onto my side, the technician even clanged the cow bell against my belly. My child was constantly in motion. Those hands and legs were all over the place!! But it took more than 30 minutes to get him to peek his face out so we could get a glimpse.

It's hard to tell much. Especially with the shadows, etc... but so far, he seems to look a lot like Ella. We're only a couple of months away.. then we'll know for sure.

She wants her Daddy!!

We may never get a full night's sleep. Ella is still waking up at least once a night. She's feeling better, no more pain meds, etc... but she's having bad dreams.

The last 2 nights, she's woken up terrified. We can go in and calm her down... but she's not letting go of Daddy for anything! She's still half asleep, usually still sitting or lying down, but she's screaming!

Last night, it happened around 10:30. Troy was still WHOOPING with the boys. (special dispensation for an extra night this week... so he'll owe me. I couldn't calm her or get her to lay down, so I picked her up. She still screamed. She wanted "Da-DEEEE!"

We went into the office, and she was immediately fine. Hugging Troy, snuggling him, all smiles. As soon as I picked her up and walked out of the room, more screaming. We went to my bed, more screaming!!! Sitting there watching and waiting for Dad. The dogs came in to see what all the noise was about. They jumped up on the bed with us and she was suddenly safe and sound. She laid down with me (actually between the two dogs) and her little eyes would just droop shut. But she wouldn't let go. She'd open them and call for "Da-da." This went on for nearly 30 minutes before I took her back into the office and told Troy she needed him.

We finally pried him away from the computer screen. Troy carried Ella to her bed, covered her up, and all was right with the world.

He couldn't believe she was so insistent on seeing him and being held by him. But that just goes to show you how much she loves her daddy. When things go bump in the night, mommy can pick you up, the doggies can snuggle and and protect you, but only Daddy can make Ella feel secure enough to go back to bed. (Troy went immediately back to his video game... crisis over. Mommy can finally close her eyes and sleep!)

No studying... but I passed

We're off the hook with the gestational diabetes. My second test came back completely normal! YEEEEAH!

We still wonder why this baby is so big... but Troy was 10 lbs at birth, so I contend this is all his fault.

We're going for a 3D ultrasound today and hope to have some great photos of the boy to share soon!

New Tubes!

Ella had surgery Friday morning and the nurses say she deserved a gold star for the best patient of the day! She went in and came out smiling. She even cried to hug the nurse goodbye before we left.

She still had some ear pain over the weekend, but we were able to get outside to work in the lawn, grill, and enjoy some beautiful weather. SHE LOVES IT OUT THERE!!! So we're investigating swing sets, etc... for this summer.

She finally slept through the night without a peep so Mommy and Daddy were a little more well rested to start the workweek. Hopefully, we'll all stay healthy for awhile!

(No word yet on my 2nd gestational diabetes test. The results weren't back when I checked today. We hope to find out tomorrow or Wednesday.)

F for failure--- let the panic begin!

There is one thing I hate about being pregnant. Not the aches and pains, not the water retention or weight gain, not even the constant trips to the bathroom. I hate the test for gestational diabetes.

I'm not a big soda drinker. I don't like Kool-Aid. I can't stand sweets for breakfast. Needless to say, the super sweet soda they give you to drink first thing in the morning before this test, makes me sick! I've done it... twice now and I've managed to keep it down and get through the tests. But this time, I failed the test. So, I have to go back and take another, longer test, with more of the sweet, syrupy drink that I hate!

Okay, that part sucks! Now for the real drama. I'm terrified that I'll fail this second more definitive test and they'll decide I have gestational diabetes. I'm in a total panic.

As soon as I failed, I headed for work, logged onto the internet, and started reading everything I could about this. (MISTAKE #1-- too much information is not always a good thing!)
- it's not uncommon to fail the first test, even if you've passed in previous pregnancies
- it can be blamed on something as simple as too many sweets the day before the test or medication
- Most women who do have gestational diabetes don't have any problems

Troy reads this information and his mind is at ease. No problem, it's going to be fine, not a big deal.... (MISTAKE #2-- husbands never think anything is as serious as you do!)

I read more stuff.. .and this is where it gets really scary!!!
- some babies of moms with gestational diabetes are stillborn after 28 weeks
- some moms with gestational diabetes can go on to have diabetes after pregnancy
- some babies of moms with gestational diabetes are more likely to be overweight and have diabetes later in life

and the warning signs:
- frequent urination
- tired or run down
- thirsty

(okay, those are all common for any pregnancy) but there's more:
- large size baby (our boy already measures 2.5 weeks ahead on the growth schedule)
- little weight gain for mom (I gained my first 5 pounds this week. All the weight seems to be going to him)

Now, I'm a basket case!!! I'm convinced that I'll fail test #2--convinced that I'll have gestational diabetes--convinced that something is wrong with this giant baby boy-- convinced that we've got our hopes up and that we'll never be able to bring this baby home, now that even Ella is starting to love him.

Say a prayer for me this Thursday as I take test #2. I'm a nervous wreck. I should request prayers for Troy too... as long as I'm this crazed, he's guaranteed to lose sleep right along with me!