Christmas updates

Well, we have an interesting December. I went for my glucose testing, and it turns out that I do in fact have gestational diabetes. That one threw me off, as I have been feeling fine and have no symptoms, but as I learn more about it, it's getting better. I have an appointment with a diabetic counselor this coming Wednesday, so I'll learn more...just in time for Christmas, I know! From what I have been reading, I will most likely have to start checking my blood sugar 4 times a day, but hopefully this is something that can be controlled with diet alone. Once I get it under control, the midwife told me that I won't be at any higher risk for any of the complications than someone who does not have GD...so that's my motivation to make this work! I have still been feeling fine, and Special K keeps reminding me that he's around. I went for my last appointment with the midwife this week...from now on, I'll be attached to an actual doctor, not just a midwife. I hadn't met with this one before, but she was super nice. She took my measurements, and he's measuring exactly where he's supposed to be. She was able to tell me that his head is down (which is fine, he still has time to move around), and that he was sticking his butt out at her :) Great!

But anyways, overall, things are still going well. I'm getting over a cold...I've had it for about a week now, and I HATE being sick, so I hope it will be completely gone by Christmas. I'll now be seeing the doctor every 2 weeks...I can't believe I only have 13 weeks left to go!

Hugs,
Kristen and Special K :)

December update

I had my follow-up ultrasound yesterday, and so far, things seem to be progressing nicely. The ultrasound tech couldn't tell me much, but she did say that she can tell that my placenta moved...just wasn't sure if it was enough, and that they may continue to monitor it. I got a call later in the day and they told me that it's looking good, and that things should be fine by delivery. So THANK YOU to EVERYONE who said a prayer for us, each one was and continues to be greatly appreciated. I only got two pictures, and neither was very good though. Unfortunately, he decided to be VERY stubborn and would not turn and face the front. He kept his back to us, no matter how she had me move, shift, cough, whatever...I hope this isn't a sign of things to come!

Next regular appointment is December 17th, but I have my glucose test on the 12th...fun stuff, let me tell you! But it's still super exciting. I can feel him move around and kick every day. I think sometimes I can even feel him roll over. Brent's been able to feel him kick a few times too, so that's really fun.

Still not decided on a name yet...but don't worry, once we do decide, no one will know until he makes his debut! :):)

Hugs,
Kristen and Special K :)

Registries!

Brent and I tackled the daunting task of creating baby registries this weekend. What a process! There are SO many choices, and it got overwhelming at points! However, I think we accomplished what we set out to do. Our registries can be viewed at:
www.babiesrus.com
www.babydepot.com

Both places offer both online and in-store options, which is nice. Plus, I can edit them online if needed.

Thanks to everyone for all of the love and support we've received so far. I have my next doctor appointment this coming Thursday, and another ultrasound scheduled for December 1st. After the last ultrasound, the midwife called with a few concerns. She said that my placenta was "low lying," which, for now, is not something to be TOO concerned about. In the reading I found, 90-95% of low lying placentas correct themselves in time. If I still have the problem at 28+ weeks, then that could mean either bed rest for me, or other precautions. For now though, I have to keep telling myself that most of them correct themselves, and there isn't anything I can do about it to make it any better. I'll post updates after the next ultrasound to see if it has moved or not.
Hugs!

It's a....

BOY!!! I had my 20 week ultrasound scheduled for today. Well, the doctors office called me this morning to tell me that the ultrasound tech went home sick. I asked if there was anything we could do, and they said they'd call the hospital to see if they could get me in. Well, they did, and I was sooo relieved! We got there (we being myself, Brent, mom, Brent's mom, and my dad), and for a bit it was just Brent, the tech and I. He spent the first 20 minutes or so doing measurements and such, but at one point he just asked, "so do you want to know what your having?" I looked at the screen, and we could both tell it was a boy! Mom and Wendy were allowed to come in then (dad opted to wait in the lobby), and we had a lot of laughs with the tech, and got some good pics. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get any 3D pics, but there was someone else waiting, and since they had to squeeze me in today, I wasn't going to complain about it. My next appointment is November 19th, so I should have more updates then.

Appt 10/22

So I had my most recent appointment on 10/22. Things are still looking great. I'm slowly gaining back the weight I lost during the first trimester (but still haven't broken above that yet!) so I'm pretty happy about that :) I only got to hear the heartbeat for a few seconds because the midwife was having trouble getting a good reading. Apparently the baby decided this was a good time to kick around and move, causing the doppler to go nuts. BUT...I have been feeling those "butterflies" fluttering and such...what an odd but amazing feeling.
We have our "big" ultrasound scheduled for November 5th. That's the one, where, if we want, we can find out the sex. We still aren't sure if we want to find out, but I guess we'll know soon enough! I've still been having headaches, but not as often. The midwife told me to try having some caffiene, so I've been drinking coffee that's half regular, half decaf...so far, so good! Haven't had a headache since. That's really my only complaint so far, so I'm extremely happy about that.

More to come soon! Hopefully we'll get some really good pics at the next ultrasound!
~Kristen and Special K :)

Just about 15 weeks along...

9/24 doctors appointment

I guess I shouldn't say "dr appointment" because for now, I just see the midwives. All went well today though! All of my blood work came back normal, and she was happy with my blood pressure and everything. I got to hear the heart beat today! Took her all of about 3 seconds to find it, then that lovely lub dub greeted me. Heart rate was going strong at 150bpm...she said anywhere between 125 and 175 is good...I said I can handle being right in the middle! Overall, she was very happy with how things are progressing...which made me very happy!
The next regular appointment is October 22nd, and 2 weeks after that we'll schedule the 20 week ultrasound...that's the gender predictor one!
Feeling better overall...still pretty tired, but not as much. Nausea has pretty much gone away. I still have a few foods I can't go near, but I'm slowly getting my appetite back too, which makes me happy.
I'll try to take some pictures soon and post the "bump"...if you want to call it that...I just feel very fat right about now! :):)

HUGS!

1 down, 2 to go

So today marks the end of the first trimester/beginning of the second trimester. Woo-hoo! So far, so good (as far as I know!). I go back to the doctor 9/24, and plan on asking when I'll be having another ultrasound. I got some bloodwork done yesterday (she took 7 vials!), so I should get the results of that when I go back. Most of my pants don't fit anymore, yet I'm still down almost 9 pounds...so odd how that works out. I don't feel as if I'm "showing" yet, but I know that will come in all good time.
Short update for today...time to get stuff ready for a big yard sale next week. Gotta get rid of some of this old junk!
~Kristen

So...this is my first shot at the whole blog thing, so be patient with me. :) I decided to create this blog because I have a lot of distant friends/relatives that will now be able to follow our journey through this website. I will try to update it as often as I can, especially when we learn more about our "Special K."
I think to begin with, I'll go back to the start of everything. Brent and I actually found out that I was pregnant on July 10th. So for those of you that just very recently found out, don't feel bad! We told next to no one until after the first ultrasound (see pics above). At that appointment, all was looking great. Baby had a strong heart beat of 162 bpm, and it was just dancing around like crazy! Yesterday marked the 12 week mark, so one more week and I'm out of the first trimester. Honestly though, I can't complain. I haven't gotten sick (knock on wood), the nausea, although annoying at times, was bearable, and I've just been extremely tired lately. Other than that though, I've been feeling pretty good.
I don't have another ultrasound scheduled just yet, but I do have another dr appointment on September 24th. We are well on our way to March 23, 2010!!
Here's a bit of interesting information for you. With a due date of March 23, that puts me 3 days before I turn 29 (on the 26th). My mom had me 1 day before she turned 29. So yes, my birthday is the 26th, my mom's is the 27th, and I have several friends and relatives who all have birthdays during that same week. Gotta love March!
I guess that's about it for now. I'll update as often as I can, so check back often! As time progresses, I will put the ever famous "belly" pics up as well...not much to show yet, although stretchy pants have become my best friends!

Love to all,
Kristen