I Passed!!!

Had my 28 week checkup on Friday. Also had the joys of getting my Rhogam shot and doing the glucose test (to check for gestational diabetes). Rhogam is not bad, just a shot in the hip or the shoulder, just burns pretty bad, kind of like a tetanus shot. I got to drink the juice stuff then go to my appointment then go back for my blood draw for the glucose test (they draw the blood exatly an hour after consuming the drink to see how your body breaks down the sugars in the drink, or something like that). While I'm not 100% sure of what the guidelines for "normal" are on the glucose test, I know that I got a 101. I'm choosing to believe that's like an A+ ;) but I think I might be a bit off on that. Either way, the nurse said it was good when she called me with the results. Nothing exciting at the checkup, she said my weight looks good (didn't tell me where I stand as far as my total), asked if I have any signs of preterm labor (no), asked if I have any questions (just one). I asked about the baby being big again. Bradin was a 9 lb baby and to be honest, I'd prefer not to go any bigger LOL! She did say that by measuring my uterus I was measuring right on, and that we could do an ultrasound farther on if we were concerned, but to be honest, there's nothing we can do about it. Large baby is not a good medical reason to induce early, just gives me a reason to aim for an earlier elective c-section (which I DO NOT WANT!).
Emily and Henry are coming up in 2 weeks for the next appointment, and the doc had said that we could probably arrange for an ultrasound to be done then!!! That's all I have for updates, I know, this is SO BORING isn't it??? But remember, that's a good thing!!!!

26 week checkup!

Yep, this morning was my checkup. Boring, as usual. Heard the heartbeat, sounded good and strong, and doc said I am measuring just right for 26 weeks. We discussed my fear of this baby being even bigger than Bradin was (he came out at 9 lbs!), but doc said that measuring the uterus is fairly reliable and "normal" measurements suggest that baby is going to be of "average size" (7-8 lb range) but suggested we do an ultrasound at 30ish weeks (which, incidentally is when Emily and Henry will be here for a dr.s appointment...sort of a coincidince, sort of not hehe) to do some measurements, just to be more sure.
I start being seen every 2 weeks now, so the updates will be more frequent. And at my next checkup I get to do all of the fun stuff: 1-hour glucose test, rhogam workup, and rhogam shot. Yippee!!! That means that before my checkup I get to run over to the hospital and drink the orange drink (kind of tastes like half-carbonated orange soda, some women despise it, I don't mind it.) then in an hour they will do a blood draw to see how my body breaks down the sugars I ingest. The rhogam shot is just a shot, but basically it's since I'm Rh negative, if the baby's blood type is positive and the baby's blood mixes with my blood, my body could try to fight it like a disease and it could hurt the baby. This shot is given at 28ish weeks and prevents my body from reacting to the baby's blood. It's well worth getting a shot, and besides, who doesn't love a good burning shot in the hip or shoulder?????
The only negative thing that came out of today is the weight. By my weight chart, it APPEARS that I've gained 11 lbs in the last month. (My overall weight gain is good, about 14 lbs) I'm hoping the fact that I kept my shoes on is what makes the difference, but I'm guessing it didn't throw it off by that much...GRR!!! I'm hoping that with the weather warming up, we'll be able to get outside more and that'll help me work off some of the swiss cake rolls I've been eating!!! ;)

25 Weeks Pregnant PICTURES!!!

OK OK OK, I know a lot of you have been asking to see belly pics. I tell you all that I look pretty much the same, pregnant or not, because I'm so fluffy. Yes, fluffy. Because it sounds nice, makes me think of an edible cloud of frosting :D
Anyway, on to the pics. Y'all are LUCKY, because I conned my friend Kim into taking a couple of shots quick before the Sound of Washington concert (a choir I help coordinate) tonight, so my hair is all DID and stuff, and I'm at that stressed/frazzled point, so I don't normally look this CRAZY (some might argue that point) but here they are:

Since she wasn't pleased with the background on the first one, she took a second one in the hallway with a better background:

So there. All of you who have been calling me a SLACKER!!! I slack no more!! :P Have a happy Easter!!!

Nothing new, but fun!

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since the last update, and I've been told I'm slacking on the blogging, although nothing really exciting or fun has happened lately. Today, though, Dorothy decided she was going to be interesting. I was sitting on the couch, vegging out as I tend to do when I'm trying to figure out if/what I'm going to make for supper (I won, didn't cook tonight! hehe) and suddenly my belly (and other fatty parts of me, although that doesn't really narrow it down...) started wiggling, with no explainable reason from the OUTSIDE. I could feel her squirming and kicking inside, and it was so fun to finally SEE her kicks!! She's a bit of a turkey, as every time I feel her kick and am able to try to feel it with my hand, she stops...let's hope this doesn't indicate a trying child for Henry and Emily!!!

On a different note, I've been thinking a lot lately about my surrogate tattoo. I found a pretty celtic mother's knot, that the intention is you add a dot for each baby:

but my long-term intent would be to add initials and dates for each future surrobabe, plus most artists won't even touch you for less than $50, so paying that much for a little dot would make me mad. So here's my challenge to you all: help me with my tattoo!!! Come up with a great idea, nothing too big or gaudy, but something that's sweet (like me hehe) and will fit nicely on my left shoulderblade (my kids are on my right). The prize will go to the winner(s), it will be my lifelong thanks for coming up with an awesome tattoo idea!!!!

Another checkup is next Thursday, the 28th, so be looking for an update then, although I'm sure it will be another boring visit!! Have a great Easter, everyone!!!

22 Week Update

Went in for my checkup this morning. Boring, as usual. But that's a good thing. Of course she measured the fundal height (yep, sure, whatever that is hehe) and listened to the heartbeat. Little Dorothy was a wiggler this morning and it actually took the doc a couple of minutes to find (and keep) the heartbeat long enough to count it, but she ended up with something in the 140s, consistent with where she's been.
Nothing unusual has developed, so I didn't really have any questions for her. Rhogam shot (because I'm Rh negative) will be in about 6 weeks, next appointment is in 4 weeks, and after that one I start being seen every 2 weeks. wow! Time has flown by! We will probably start seriously talking about scheduling an induction at one of the next few appointments. Still not quite sure what Emily and Henry are thinking as far as dates, but we can schedule as early as July 29th, so that's all still up in the air, but hey, at least we know she'll be born sometime between today and the middle of August!!! Everyone have a fantastic weekend!!

The Big Gender Reveal!!!

Yesterday was the 20 week anatomy ultrasound!!! The tech showed us the growth charts and baby is almost right on the "average" line for everything, said everything looks good!!! I drank a small cup of coffee yesterday morning to make sure the baby didn't cross it's legs, because we REALLY wanted to know the sex, and the baby was playing peekaboo with us during the ultrasound. It was SO CUTE!!
So, for those of you who don't have me on Facebook or see me in person often, IT'S A GIRL!!! Emily and Henry will be joined by a baby "Dorothy" rather than Hunk.
I know several people have asked how I feel about this, because I have 2 boys and no girls. I'm pretty sure I don't want to have to deal with a teenage girl. I was one, and I sure don't want that kind of payback!!!! Yes, it would have been neat to have a girl myself, and I would have been happy wth either both times. But really, this is NOT my baby. I don't have that emotional mother/baby connection with her like I did with my boys when I was pregnant with them. I'm not really worried about how I'll cope with "giving up" this child, it's not my child. I have no right to it.
I'll have to hop back online later and get pics posted of the ultrasound, I have to get ready to go meet Emily and Henry for breakfast before they head back home. I'm going to be sad to see them leave, but they need to go spend time celebrating the girl with their family and friends!!
Hope everyone has a great day!!!

When's the big day???

TOMORROW!!!! Ultrasound is at 10:30 tomorrow morning, then we're going to tour the OB ward, then I have to hurry home and get working on the last minute stuff for the party!!!! This of course means (for those of you who are not attending the party) that you will have to wait till either late tomorrow night or Tuesday to find out the sex, IF the baby chooses to let us know what it is. Any guesses??? I'm thinking girl, slightly, not sure why, just am. I'll update as soon as I can!!!! Wish us luck!!!