Bump Check- 18 Weeks

My sister says the bump looks smaller than last week, and I kind of agree. But the Nugget is actually measuring a bit larger than we expected... at our 17w5d visit, Nugget was measuring about a whole week larger. And my belly numbers are measuring exactly as they should. I think it's just that the bump keeps getting longer instead of sticky-outer-er. Does that make sense?

My cousin remarked that this is not really a baby bump so much as it is chips and pizza. John now wants to call the baby "chips and pizza." Um... no.

Did I mention that the baby thinks my bladder is a trampoline? I know you are jealous.

In other news, I am getting tired of showing you my shower curtain every week. Maybe I should put some subliminal messages up on Cinderella's skirt to see who picks up on it?

Medical Update and a Photo

Good news: more medical tests and doctors appointment continue to reassure us that my shortness of breath and chest pain are not from a major heart/lung problem or blood clots. We don't think the symptoms are causing any harm to me or the baby, and the most concerning symptom (low oxygen levels) seems to have resolved!

Bad news: I continue to have intermittent shortness of breath and chest pain, even with minimal exertion. It's sometimes accompanied by lightheadedness, which could mean a low blood pressure or low oxygen level during the episodes. We still don't know what is causing it.

So, we are following up with the doctor tomorrow to see if my bedrest can end and if I can return to work, etc. Today we had an ultrasound that showed a good cervical length (> 3cm) so that is reassuring, too. Go cervix, go! We also saw the Nugget waving at us on the ultrasound. Aww!

Anna has decided that the baby is a boy. She keeps insisting that it's a boy, and will grow up to be a big girl, just like her. She also approves of the names Ryan, Momma, and Daddy for the baby.

Abigail still likes the names Claire and Walter, although Drexel and Daisy came up today. Hmm.

Bump Check- 17 weeks

So, how jealous are you of my princess shower curtain? I thought so.

Bumps in the Road

So, we knew going into this pregnancy that there was a higher likelihood of experiencing some difficulties than a normal woman of my age and relative health would have with pregnancy. We consulted with several physicians before attempting to conceive, and came up with plans for how to approach and manage these potential complications.

And so far, everything that we thought would be a problem has turned out okay. Just had a cervix check yesterday, and everything looks healthy and fantastic and my body is keeping the baby way it needs to be.

But, there have been some other bumps in the road:(

I had been having some shortness of breath- not unusual in pregnancy because of the extra blood volume and weight, etc. But on Monday, that shortness of breath was also accompanied by some chest pain. Off we went to the ER, where we also found that my oxygen level was much lower than it should be when I was walking around (but okay when I was resting.)

A slew of tests, doctors appointments, and labs ensued ... and we still have no good answers. We know what it's NOT, but we don't know what it IS. This is frustrating, although knowing that the worst case scenarios have been ruled out is reassuring.

So, as of today, I am officially on bed rest until cleared by more specialists and my OB. Hopefully, these symptoms will turn out to be transient, perhaps related to a virus or something like that which is not immediately apparent but easily resolved. Only time will tell.

In the mean time, I will leave you with a few happier thoughts:


When we told the kids we were having a baby, I gave Anna a lemon to show her how little the baby was. For a week, she carried the lemon around- in pockets, purses, or just in her hand- and referred to it as her baby. Then she kind of forgot about it, as 3 year olds are prone to do. Until the other day at the grocery....

Anna: look Momma, a baby!
Me: that's a lemon, not a baby.
Anna: yeah!


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Anna: Momma, I take the baby for the roller.
Me: what?
Anna: for the roller.
Me: the what?
Anna: the roller! Like this! (and proceeds to push her baby stroller into the bathroom.)

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Me: Abigail, what should we name the baby if it's a girl?
Abigail: Um, I like the name Anabelle.
Me: Don't you think it would be confusing to have an Anna and an Anabelle?
Abigail: No, because Anabelle is spelled A-N-A and  Anna is spelled A-N-N-A.
Me: I see.


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Teta: Abigail, what should we name the baby?
Abigial: Well, I thnk Claire for a girl or Walter for a boy.
Teta: Those are nice names. Anna, what should we call the baby if it's a sister?
Anna: Take a nap.
Teta: And what if it's a boy?
Anna: Eat. And poop.

Bump Check- 16 weeks

Bump check- 16 weeks. Naked belly + clothed belly.

And a princess shower curtain.

Bump Check

Because my sister won't stop harassing me to post a picture of my bump, I am giving you the 2 pictures that exist of said bump. Both taken by yours truly on my iPhone while wearing old PJs in the dimly-lit bathroom at my in-law's house (read: high quality photographs, people.)

Photo One: 14 weeks (taken Saturday, May 1)

I could tell there was something there, and promptly sent it off to my hubby in a text message, since he was half a country away. I think the kids have a name for those provocative text messages...? (that was a joke.)

Photo Two: 15 weeks (taken Saturday, May 8)

I will admit, the noticeable difference in bump size really got me excited. Along with the news I received earlier in the week that I had only gained half a pound in 4 weeks. Although, in scrubs, you still can't tell anything is there. Which is okay, I guess. I'm sure I will be waddling around soon enough.

Dear Nugget

Dear Nugget,

I understand that you are living in pretty cramped conditions. It's probably fairly boring in there, and the constant thumping of my heart must be monotonous. I am sure you wish you could see the vibrant spring colors and smell the heavy weight of lilacs in the air. I get it- you need a hobby, because there's not much else for you to do right now.

But please, Nugget, could you consider a hobby other than giving Momma constant heartburn? Honestly, feeling like my esophagus is burning a hole through my throat and an angry wad of fire is about to errupt from my neck and strangle me is surprisingly unpleasent. And when I lay down and that that firepit in my throat ALSO happens to burn in my nose and ears? Yes, also very unpleasent. Not to mention, Momma is quickly running out of Tums.

If you would be so kind as to look for another hobby, I would be happy to provide you with more stimulation, such as the sound of your father snoring- a sound which you might be missing right now, since I can't lay down in bed. Other hobbies that would be appropriate right now include: karate (for the next 10-15 weeks, then we would probably have to look into a new hobby), swallowing your own amniotic fluid, or writing poetry.

Hope you are as comfortable as possible. Hope you know your sisters kiss you every day. Hope you find a new hobby!

Love,
Momma

Birthmother's Day

I tried to explain to Anna that there was a baby in my tummy, and in a few months, we will be able to hold and kiss and love our baby. She didn't get it. I handed her a lemon to show her how little the baby is now, and I am pretty convinced that she thought the lemon was the baby. She carries her lemon around and kisses it and calls it "my baby."

We were talking last night about the baby in my tummy, and Anna said "in your tummy, just like me." I explained again that Anna didn't grow in my tummy, but that she came to live in our family so that we could love her hand hug her and kiss her. This was the first time I think she really understood the difference between a baby that grows in your tummy and a baby that comes to your family another way.

Then we talked about Anna's first mom, her birth mom. At 3, I really don't know how much she understands, but I hope she understands how much I love, appreciate, and respect this woman who trusted me with such a wonderful child.

Today, the day before Mother's Day, is Birthmother's Day. Today we honor the first mothers, who, through their gift, gave us the blessing of motherhood through adoption.

We're having a baby!

On Monday, we took Abigail to my OB visit to tell her that we are having a baby:)

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