39 weeks 2 days

Big ol' belly!!! Hopefully this will be the last belly shot. Any day now!

39 Weeks

Well, at this point I should have one week to go. Hopefully it will be less, but it could also be more. I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon so maybe I'll know something more after that...I highly doubt it though. So far I've not shown any signs of labor, other than feeling like Miley is trying to claw her way out. At this point I'm still going to work, but I'm moving slower and slower each day. Notice I said going to work, not working...There's a big difference!

On the home front, we're all ready for Miley. Car seats are ready, her hospital bag is ready, diapers and wipes stand ready to be called into service. Mom is on her way up from TN as I type this so Miley, if you're listening to your mother, you can come out now! NOW!

By the way, the above pic was taken last Saturday. It may be our last as a threesome. Notice the cankles. I look like the Michelin Man!

Surprise!

When I got to work yesterday morning, the girls had the board room all set up for a surprise baby shower! Miley received some really cute onsies (my fave says "Does this diaper make my butt look big?") and other nice, necessary things! Oh, and the best part...I ate chocolate cake and drank punch for breakfast!!

Miley's Nursery

Well we've got less than three weeks to go (hopefully), and Miley's nursery is about as ready as it's gonna get. We painted the walls a sunny yellow, and I made her quilt, bumper pads and dust ruffle in sage green and lavender. The dresser used to be in Mackenzie's room, but with a couple coats of paint and some new drawer pulls, it looks like a million bucks! (Don't ya just love paint??) The crib is on loan from Aunt Nancy (same crib Mackenzie used), and the rocker came from Ken's mom & dad--we just recovered the seat. The name plaque over the crib was made for Miley by Stephanie Mangus (Thanks Stef, it's perfect!!). Big sister Mackenzie has named herself Miley's Official Toy Assembler.

Mackenzie's new room

I thought I'd share pix of Mackenzie's newly-redecorated room. We are just thrilled with how cute the room turned out. She now has a young girl's room rather than a baby's room.

35 Weeks

As of today, we've got 4 weeks, 5 days to go! Last couple of doctor's visits have been uneventful. I'm weighed, my blood pressure is taken, my belly is measured...so far, all has been normal and right on track. My next appointment is August 20, when the doctor will start doing the dreaded internal exams on a weekly basis to check for dialation and effacement. I already know that Miley has dropped, and I know this because a) I can breathe a little better and b) she's headbutting my cervix!

We've been nesting pretty hard at my house. Last weekend, Miley's room was painted, and this weekend, we ripped up carpet (new stuff coming tomorrow!!), painted Mackenzie's room, and painted a couple dressers. I've also been sewing like mad on Miley's quilt and bumper pads. I will post photos as soon as we get everything put back together. The girls' rooms are gonna look soooo good!

31 Weeks

The belly is getting on out there! I had a regular check-up last Friday and everything looks good. Mackenzie went with me and got to hear Miley's heartbeat. After the appointment we went for a tour of the maternity ward to check out where all the action will take place. I'm telling ya, I broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about the fact that I would be in one of those rooms in two months!!

Happy Birthday To Me!

I turned 38 years old today. I'm not sure what 38 is supposed to feel like, but I don't "feel" 38. Just think...when I turn 40 two years from now, I will have a 21-month-old daughter, a 10-yr-old daughter, and will have been married for almost 11 years. It's incredible to think about.

28 Weeks

Well, it's official...It's a girl! I had my follow-up ultrasound yesterday and Miley Kay showed us all her glory. They measured my placenta again and it's no longer considered low...yay! The doc said everything looks good and she's growing right on schedule. At this point, she weighs a little over 2 lbs. Me? I've gained 35 lbs. I feel like a barn with legs.

I also had my gestational diabetes test. I drank the syrupy orange drink, then had my blood drawn an hour later. The nurse missed my vein the first stab and had to poke me again, and I just about passed out before she finished drawing the blood sample. Now, I am not a squeamish person, but for some reason yesterday I got dizzy and saw stars. The nurse said it was because I hadn't eaten. I certainly hope so, since this will not be the last time someone pokes me and I do not want to end up on the floor every time someone comes at me with a needle.

27 weeks

Mackenzie and I took these pictures to surprise Ken for Father's Day...I hope he likes them.

25 weeks

24 Weeks

I had a regular check-up this week and all is well according to the doc. I'm measuring right at 24 weeks. I've gained 30 lbs (YIKES!) but the doc has yet to chew my butt about excessive weight gain. I have another ultrasound scheduled for 28 weeks, on June 20th, so send some open-leg vibes my way and let's hope we get a clear shot of the bits! I will also have the gestational diabetes screening, which is where I get to drink this syrupy drink that tastes like flat orange pop, then have my sugar level tested. I'm hoping my sugar levels are okay, especially since my new best friend here lately has been heaping bowls of Frosted Cheerios!

So far I'm feeling pretty good. I'm starting to get uncomfortable, especially trying to roll over in bed, or bending over to pick up stuff or tie shoes. I occasionally find myself trying to catch my breath as my lung capacity has seriously diminished. I feel the baby move alot, and Mackenzie has felt her kick several times now. I love how excited Mackenzie gets when she feels it. She gives the baby (my fat belly) a kiss every night at bedtime and says, "I love you, Miley!"

Progress has been made on the baby's room! All of my craft stuff has been moved out to the garage. Poor Ken, I have invaded his space. His "man cave" is no longer sacred, but has been violated by females. Now hopefully we will get a more definite idea if it's a girl at the ultrasound next month so we can get started decorating. I've picked up a stroller and a couple car seats at yard sales, and what a huge money-saver that's been! For the cost of one new carseat, I purchased a stroller and two car seats used, but in excellent condition. They even match! USED is the way to go, definitely.

My Happy Place

We spent a wonderful weekend in the Red River Gorge! It's our first weekend out with the new pop-up camper and the kayaks, and it was a success.

Saturday we kayaked down the Red River, and what an awesome experience! The river is curvy and winds back and forth through the gorge, and around every bend was another breath-taking view. We stopped for lunch and had our little picnic perched on top of a boulder just high enough to overlook the river. Next time I'm told to think of my happy place, THAT is what I'll be thinking about.

Sunday we hiked up to the Natural Bridge. Whew, did I feel it! I don't have my usual lung capacity and stamina at the moment, for obvious reasons. But as always, I loved every minute of it. I was doing my favorite thing with my favorite people in my favorite place. Perfection. Here's a pic of Ken, Mackenzie, me and Miley (that's her there in the belly!), standing on top of the Natural Bridge.

Half-way there!!!

20 weeks 4 days

Gestating on top of the world!!

Standing on top of the Natural Bridge in Slade, KY

Well, we THINK it's a girl!

The ultrasound tech had a hard time getting a clear shot, but her educated guess was it looked like girly bits. So for now, we're playing for TEAM PINK! Mackenzie of course is thrilled to death that she's getting a sister. Ken and I were hoping for a boy, ya know, one of each, but we're happy with whatever we get! I'll have another ultrasound at 32 weeks; the doc says the placenta is slightly low, no big deal, but just to be on the safe side they will check again in a couple months. Maybe we'll get a more definite answer then!

17 weeks

15 Weeks

Had a quick check-up at the doctor yesterday. All looks great, she said. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was a relief. I've been a little worried since I came down with that nasty cold weekend-before-last, and I've had this stinkin' cough for two weeks now. I've been coughing so much that at this point I'm afraid my baby will be born with shaken-child syndrome!

I'm having blood drawn next week for an Alphfetalprotein screen (AFP). My doc says she wants me to have the test done to screen for neural tube defects, since the NT screen I had a few weeks ago does not test for them. Also, I scheduled my "big" ultrasound - April 24th. Hopefully we will find out the sex of the baby!

Officially in the Second Trimester...finally!

Today I am fourteen weeks pregnant, which technically means I have entered the second trimester. It's just a title, a set of numbers, but it's nonetheless a milestone I have reached. The baby is about 3.5 to 4 inches long at this point, about the size of your fist. 14 weeks down, 26 to go!

We are recovering from some flu bug at our house. Mackenzie missed school 3 days last week, then I came down with it over the weekend, missing work on Monday. Today is the first day I've been able to breathe thru my nose since Saturday! What makes it even worse is that I'm not able to take any good drugs for it. Now Ken is starting to suspect he is next. At least he can load up on Nyquil!

Finally got our results from the NT screening we had done in Lexington on 2/26/07. The risk for chromosomal abnormalities increases as the age of the mother increases, and since I'm "old", we had this test done just for peace of mind. Results: Our risk for Down's Syndrome is 1 in 4800. Our risk for Trisomy 18 is 1 in 10,000. I'd say our numbers look pretty good!

I'm a great-aunt!!!

Ken's oldest nephew and his wife have adopted a son from South Korea. They picked him up at the airport yesterday afternoon. Isn't he the most precious thing you've ever seen?? He just turned one last month. Welcome to the family, my sweet little great-nephew!

12 wks 1 day...and I'm sucking in!!

Our bean at 11 wks 5 days

9 weeks 6 days

I had an appointment on Friday at the doctor's office. It was my understanding that I was to actually SEE a doctor this time. But, no. I met with a nurse who asked me 500 questions and drew a pint of blood. I don't get to see a doctor until NEXT TUESDAY. Arrgh.

At this rate, I'll have this kid before I even see a doctor!

I did get to hear the heartbeat, though. 166 bpm. Nice and strong. The nurse said it sounds like another girl, but it's a little early for that yet.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Drawing by California artist Lois Keller, who is expecting her second daughter in May 2007.

8 Weeks

Not alot to report. No morning sickness (yet??), thank God! I'm just tired. You know how you feel right before you come down with a bad cold, that yucky, run-down feeling? That's how I feel most of the time. Ken is usually the napper at our house, but bless his heart, he can't even get to the couch because I'm sprawled out on it, snoozing! I don't normally nap that often, but I've been napping like clockwork every evening after dinner, and then have no problem going to sleep when I go to bed at 11. According to everything I've read, I should get my mojo back in the second trimester, which is in another 4-6 weeks (depending on who you ask).

We are having trouble coming up with boy names that we all like. Feel free to throw some names this way since we have just about exhausted every baby name dictionary from the library!

Seven weeks

Seven weeks, view from the inside

Okay, the cat's out of the bag! We told Mackenzie on Saturday morning. The shirt I ordered never showed, nor did I get a response from the email I sent to the person I ordered it from. GGRRRR... So I fashioned my own "Big Sister" shirt with some iron-on letters and a pink sweatshirt. Turned out great, if I must say so myself. Anyhoo, I wrapped it up with a pretty bow and gave it to Mackenzie. She thought it was an early birthday present. However, it didn't take her but a split second to figure it out. She jumped up and down, screaming with excitement. I haven't been able to get the shirt off of her since.

We told the rest of the family Saturday evening. I think the family is excited, some more than others. I also told my boss and everyone at work yesterday. I wasn't sure of what my boss' reaction would be, since this means six weeks away from work and countless dr's appointments, but he and everyone else seemed thrilled. Yay! What a relief to finally tell!

Six Weeks

Nothing much new other than a few pounds. The baby is about the size of a grain of rice at this point, and yet I've still managed to put on at least 5 pounds.

I'm still waiting on Mackenzie's shirt to arrive. We really want to tell her this weekend, shirt or no shirt! Then, of course, immediately after we will need to tell the rest of the family because I know poor Mackenzie will not be able to keep that one to herself.

I have an ultrasound scheduled for next Thursday. This is to measure how far along we are before I even get to meet with an OB doc. So far I only have one really big fear (other than labor, of course). Because I'm considered "old" in the maternal world, I will be given the option of several genetic tests that I never had with Mackenzie. Some of these tests are blood tests, some are high-level ultrasounds, and some are invasive tests, meaning having a needle poked into my belly. I am not looking forward to making these decisions.

I just ordered this shirt for Mackenzie. I thought it would be a neat way to tell her about the baby. Now, the problem I'm having is WHEN to tell her, as well as the rest of the family.

I'm only about 5 weeks pregnant and my pants are already snug. Okay, I'll admit, this is partly due to just coming off the holiday binging. But I've got to watch my weight gain this time around. I ballooned up about 60 lbs with Mackenzie and it took FOREVER to get it off. Not to mention I resembled a beached whale by the time I was due.

I've been off my medicine for 6 days now. So far I'm okay. The first night off of it, I got close to a crying jag, but thankfully Ken talked me down. Since then, I haven't noticed much difference.

Our happy little threesome, soon to grow...

In the beginning...

It's taken us a long time to decide that a second child is right for our family.

So here's where the journey begins. After only two months of trying, I tested positive on December 30, 2006, before I had even missed a period. So much for having a beer to celebrate the new year, eh?

I met with my family Dr. yesterday evening. According to her calculations, I am due September 13, 2007. This puts me at 4 weeks. FOUR WEEKS? Why, you ask, if I've only been knocked up for about two weeks? It's because they start counting from the beginning of your cycle, not from the date of conception. Now don't you feel smarter?

So far I don't feel pregnant at all. It is a little early in the game, however. We're not quite ready to tell Mackenzie yet, mainly because we want to make sure the "Bean" sticks. There's still the possibility of a miscarriage. But I am excited about telling her! She even asked for a brother or sister for Christmas. Well, Santa delivered since conception was probably around December 20th or so.

What do we hope for, a boy or girl? A boy would be the obvious choice. But I have enjoyed having my girl so much that another girl would be very welcomed as well. I know it's cliche, but I really don't care as long as the baby is healthy.

I now have to give up caffine, or at least cut down alot. I LOVE my coffee...I do not function very well until after a cup of morning coffee. And no alcohol at all, obviously! Also, at the advice of my doctor, I am going off my antidepressant for the first trimester. Wow, this ought to be a fun ride. No caffine, no alcohol, AND no antidepressant??? I think Ken will feel it worse than I will, bless his heart!!