Merry Christmas, I hope!

Today, I had another doctor's appointment and they did growth. Evan is a huge baby! He's up to 6 lbs and 8 ozs and I am only 34 weeks and 1 day! I wasn't in a hurry to get Evan here before Christmas because he wouldn't know the difference but knowing how big he is, I hope he does arrive around Christmas. I don't want a c-section nor a 9-10+ lb baby. I want him to be healthy though so hopefully his lungs will start to mature so he will be ready to come out sooner. I'll talk to my OB on Thursday and see what she says. I'm told that there's nothing that I could have done to prevent him from getting so large. My lab results from last week are perfect and I've kept my diabetes in check. I've had such a great pregnancy, I don't think Evan will want to leave his home as early as I want him to. I'll keep posting as he gets larger!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

6 Weeks to Go!

Evan will be here in the next 6 weeks, give or take a day! On today's BPP, the sonographer said that he had some hair! I didn't really see it because she was pretty quick with the whole scan. He got another 8/8 score so he's doing well in my ever increasing belly. I have finally caught up with all the graphs and charts on pregnancy weight gain, 23 lbs and growing. If I grow facial hair and dye my hair white, I could double as Santa Clause by the time Christmas gets here. I'd sure be a jolly one.

I'm looking through the house for my picture of me with Jimmie Johnson from a few years ago at a fan club meeting. He was cute then too but it was before he had a model for a wife who made him trim up his eyebrows...stay tuned!

Happy Monday!

Jimmie Johnson is the NASCAR Champ!

I stole the banner off of the NASCAR website because I'm so excited. Jimmie Johnson finally won the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup! I'll change the picture later when they post a better one, because he's a hottie!

Go #48

Today is the big day for NASCAR. My boy, Jimmie Johnson, could finally get the championship after just missing it for the past few years. I've been a fan since he started racing and have every 1:24 Action diecast car that has come out since he began racing (it's quite an expensive collection and habit). I'm going to hope Evan wants to like Jimmie too. I'm going to clean the house and write shower thank you notes so that I don't drive myself crazy watching the race on TV. Good luck Jimmie!

NST

I had two appointments today, one with my endocrinologist who said my blood sugars were good and the second with the OB. At the OB's office, I had my first NST. That was an interesting experience that I have to go through every week here on out. Evan wouldn't move much during the test and the few times he gave me hard kicks, it almost made me jump off the table because it was so loud on the monitor. Since next Thursday is Turkey Day, I have to get my NST done in Labor and Delivery at Northside next Friday. Luckily, I have to work a few hours that day so it will just be a quick walk over to the next building.

This will be one of the only years I have to miss out on Black Friday shopping! I love shopping that one day of the year. The people seem to be in good spirits because they know what they are getting themselves into when they shop on Black Friday. It's just different than on Christmas Eve when the people are just rude because they procrastinated too long. Oh well, maybe someone will leave me a few specials on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Checking back in

Mike fixed our home computer and we have a new one too so maybe I will be able to post more often than I have lately. Monday started the twice a week doctor's appointments. Evan got a perfect 8/8 score on his first BPP (biophysical profile). I have another appointment on Thursday with my regular OB for more monitoring, along with another endocrinologist appointment. I'm up to 20 lbs total weight gain so I guess I'm finally on track with a normal person's weight gain. I've eaten like a cow lately! The weight gain could get worse!

Baby Shower

Evan's door hanging
Growth Chart (it will be a while, but it's cute!)
Mobile and crib
Changing table, lamp, picture frames
A lot of presents, toys, shoes, etc that will be moved over time. There is no other place in my house, especially after the shower.

This past Saturday was my baby shower and I had such a good time. At one time, there were about 20-25 people in my house and everyone had fun too. It was overwhelming and I feel so lucky that so many people attended the shower and to send their good wishes (Andrea, Heather, Rob, Kathryn, Elena, Dick, Jackie). There was very little family drama so that made everything even better!

Tonight, Mike and I took a few duplicate items back to Babies R Us and took our gift money and gift cards and bought almost everything else on our registry. I still have just enough money to buy Evan a closet organizer. I took a few more pictures of Evan's finished room tonight.

Sorry I haven't blogged much, for you all who read. Thanks to my friends that told me they read this thing but don't comment! :)

Evan Update

Profile
Semi-clear picture of Evan's face. He looks a lot like Mike!
A little bit of a smashed picture. He must have been right up against something.

Evan is getting to be quite a large baby. At almost 30 weeks, he is now 3 lbs and 11 ozs. He's in the 70% precentile for growth. Otherwise, my blood pressure is fine and I'm up to 16 lbs total, but I'm eating all of the time. I'm worried about how large he may get but we should be fine. While we were having the ultrasound/sonogram, the tech popped his picture into 3D/4D mode. It was very cool. We have determined that he looks a lot like Mike. One of Mike's coworkers even told him that Mike has the same face when he wakes up in the mornings, after his shift. I would have to agree.

$50 doesn't go far!

After work today, I had to go by Babies R Us and pick up a high chair that Mike's father, Dick, and stepmom, Jackie, bought us. While there, I decided to use a coupon and buy a box of diapers. There went the first $30. Afterwards, I went across the street to Costco. One bag of cat food, a box of cookies for my husband, and a dinner salad later, and I'm out another $20. I'm trying to go ahead and buy diapers when I can so that we can absorb a little of the cost now and not later when Evan is here.

Otherwise, it was a crazy day at work. If anyone watched the news this weekend, there was a huge story about Northside Hospital and the Transplant Program defrauding the government because of an improper financial and referral relationship. Imagine working in that program and never knowing anything! My boss didn't tell us for 2 and a half years. My coworker and I knew something was going on but didn't know the story until the top story on WSB aired Friday. Today, patients were asking us if we were embarrassed to be working for the program. I guess that's just how the world works but it is amazing how people can pull the wool over your eyes!

Long time no blog...

Mike has gotten our computer back to working at a normal speed and I am slowly working on rebuilding all of my bookmarks and stored passwords. I had to remember that I was neglecting this blog. I'll try to get better!

Overall things are great! It was a busy Friday. There were two wedding rehearsals at church and I had another couple, getting married in November, attend the rehearsals to help them see how things go in a Catholic wedding ceremony and so that they could ask me questions. The night was crazy with all of the people there but it went by fast!

Afterwards, I got to see our sponsor couple from when we were married in the church last July. Tim and Sharon are wonderful people and we've just missed them at mass lately. They were eating dinner but took a break to talk to me. Tim and Sharon have also accepted our invitation to be Evan's Godparents. They really helped guide us to learning more about each other and our faith, when we were preparing for our Catholic convalidation, and Mike and I both feel they will make good Godparents. Mike and I are attending a Baptismal Prep class on Sunday and I'm excited! Evan isn't here yet but I feel better knowing that things are falling into place.

I guess my last happy thought for the evening is that it is nice to know that you belong somewhere. I really love my church and feel honored to be a part of it. Mike and I are both in ministries that we love (though I try to quit mine often!), we have our favorite priest that we adore, and we've made great friends that have made lasting impressions on us and our faith!

Computer Issues

We are having minor computer/browser issues. Until then, my blogs will probably take a backseat. It is hard to lose all of your bookmarks and saved passwords. At least I have them written down. More tomorrow....

OB Visit Update

I went to the OB today and the measurement was perfect, heartbeat was normal, weight is up to 12 lbs total (but that should change soon as I get into my 3rd trimester), and my blood pressure was great! The visit only took 30 minutes too so that really topped things off! I have a doctor's visit at least once a week from here on out with at least one of my doctor's. This is where things get expensive with office visit copays. At least all of the visits and all of the money are for my little miracle. It makes it worth it just thinking about it.

Opinions!

We all know that everyone has them and sometimes I wonder why! I am sick and tired of everyones horror stories of knowing a diabetic that had a huge baby, early baby, or otherwise. People can give me their opinion on my diabetes just as soon as they review all of my medical records. I bring this up because I met some people that work with Mike at his other job, last night. Mike already told me this one girl was a nurse who used to work at Northside in labor and delivery and she said that I would have Evan by week 35. She made it a point to tell me again, last night, when I met her, that she doesn't think I'll make it past 35 weeks. Did I ask her? No!

Anyways, just felt like venting. I appreciate good thoughts and positive advice but don't tell me your horrors or what you think will happen to me when you know nothing about me. I guess pregnancy is a time when everyone thinks they know your body better than you.

Other than unwanted opinions, it's been a good week. I have a regular OB visit tomorrow morning. I've also been busy arranging the upcoming church weddings (since I volunteered and I can't seem to get out of the job). I hope everyone else is having a good and unwanted opinion free week!

Childbirth Prep

I haven't had much to blog about lately. Evan is still moving right along. We went to our first session of Childbirth Prep tonight at Northside. Tomorrow, we go back for 8 more hours. It's really interesting and we learned to breathe tonight. All of a sudden, I'm undecided about an epidural vs. natural childbirth. I know a lot of people really feel strongly one way or another but I guess I will see when the time comes. Mike is a great sport about going to the class too. He was breathing right along with everyone else tonight. Hopefully tomorrow's class goes by fast and we learn a lot.

Thursday's Baby Update

I haven't been feeling too hot so I didn't post on Thursday after my appointment. Evan is currently 2 lbs 1 oz and in the 64% precentile for growth at 25 weeks and 4 days. I have to watch that. I am up to 11 lbs total, which shocked me because I put on the last 4-5 lbs in one week. I guess the weight gain is starting now! My blood pressure was also running a little high on the systolic side. The doctor wasn't concerned but I was. It did come back down before I left. I started doing some walking in the evening Thursday to help keep my blood pressure in a good place. We'll be 26 weeks tomorrow! Time is flying by.

Never Take a Self-Portrait

Well here you go! This is what I look like today, at 25 weeks and 2 days. I don't have makeup on but I did try and brush my hair and wear something decent as I tried to take a picture of my baby belly. I was determined not to take the picture with me holding the camera in my face where all you would see was my stomach. I had to find tall pieces of furniture but I got one decent picture. The pictures always make you look fatter too! Maybe I've eaten a lot this week? I will get another weight check on Thursday when I go for my ultrasound. Don't be too critical, it's all I could manage to do. :)

Another Great Baby Find

I have been obsessed with finding an exersaucer lately. I know Evan won't even use it until at least 3-4 months after he's born but I wanted to get one so bad. I wanted a used one even more since they are so expensive new. Last night I was on Craig's List and found one. It is in excellent condition and I only paid $25. I went to pick it up in Marietta today. It took me about 45 minutes back and forth from work but it was well worth it. I've already cleaned it up some, just to put it in storage. I'm very excited!

Nice Surprises!

I went to the OB/GYN this morning and everything went well. I've only gained about 3 or 4 more pounds so I'm up 7 total. I think it is actually only 6 pounds because I didn't take my boots off this morning when I weighed. I'll check again next week with I go to the perinatologist. Evan's heartbeat sounded good on the doppler too. The doctor moved my appointments from 4 weeks from today until 3, so that I will see a doctor every 2 weeks until I hit the magical 32 weeks, when I get to go twice a week until Evan arrives.

When I arrived home today, I received the wonderful Rachael Ray oval saute pan that you see pictured above. Mike went to Linens and Things and bought it for me because I mentioned that I wanted that pan in particular and because they didn't have the entire 10 piece set. The 10 piece set doesn't include an oval saute pan (just a round one), so this was a nice treat. I was completely surprised, and especially impressed that he used a coupon! At least I have taught him one of my crazy coupon habits.

Katy, Mike's sister, arrives tomorrow. We are going to the Baby Faire at the Galleria on Saturday. I'm excited about going and that she is coming to visit us for a few days. I'll try to take a picture of her and me, and not just one of my new saute pan.

Rachael Ray

I am totally obsessed with Rachael Ray, but I can't stand to watch her on TV. I'm weird, I know! I have Tivo'ed her daytime show and the first one was so annoying that I only made it through half. I am going to try and watch some more when I get bored. I can watch her 30 Minute Meals and Tasty Travels shows but after 30 minutes, I want to beat myself silly because I find her so irritating. With all this said, I have every one of her cookbooks, one of her Furi knives, a subscription to her magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and now I want the new set of the Rachael Ray hard anodized cookware with the funky orange handles. I am trying to figure out the best way to save money on it though. I think I can use a Linens and Things coupon on it! I also think I might get the set for Christmas.

Keep in mind, Mike does MOST ALL of the cooking. I think my obsession with the 30 minute meals cookbooks is because I have little or no talent in cooking. I can bake you a wonderfuly tasty cake but that's about the extent of it. My brother, Jerry, tells me that I have bland taste though, because I'm diabetic, so that must be why I can't cook. I don't have the taste for seasonings and sauces.

Evan is helping me find my sweet tooth these last few days though, so maybe after pregnancy, I might get a little kitchen talent since I have expanded my diet with sugary things. I can't get enough chocolate! I have an appointment with the regular OB/GYN tomorrow. I can't wait to see how much weight I've gained. I don't think it's that much and my blood sugar is in control (even with the chocolate) so everything should be fine.