Well, it's been a rough weekend. It was still pretty decent. I just wasn't feeling well. It was a combination of upset stomach, acid reflux, sleepiness, etc. I couldn't really put my finger on it. I was just uncomfortable. It doesn't help that just when you feel bad, the little guy delivers a swift kick to your stomach. Ugh!

It started Wednesday afternoon. I was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast! Mom came over and helped me cook my contributions to Thursday's dinner. I couldn't have done it without her. Thursday I actually felt much better. I enjoyed a modest portion of Thanksgiving goodness, including a glass of champagne - yes, I splurged after talking to my doctor about it.

Friday morning I got up and ventured to Target at 6:30 am for some black Friday specials. I got a few good deals. Once I got home, it kicked it again, but much worse. I crawled back into bed and stayed there until after noon. Even then, I just moved to the sofa. The gang got together for pizza Friday night but I stayed on the sofa instead. Jeff brought me home a slice of cheese pizza.

This morning I was feeling better again. Things were improving. Then around noon, Jeff started to drift into his ickiness. We were doing some Christmas shopping together and he got really tired. Then achy. Then kinda red in the face. We headed home where he proceeded to the sofa. He forced himself to join me at Judi's for dinner (YUMMY turkey - and he missed it all!!). He stayed on the sofa while Judi and I ate the best turkey ever. YUM!!

We got home and I made him some ginger tea while he got in the bath. I hope it passes through him as quickly as it did for me. Then again, I had a flu shot this season and he didn't. We'll soon see!!

I passed the test!! I do NOT have gestational diabetes!! WoooHooo!! Bring on the pumpkin pie and save me some eggnog too!

It's been a while since my last post so let me bring you up to speed. Last Monday, before my doctor's appointment, I went to the Lab to take the gestational diabetes test. It's actually a screening to see if you need to take the three hour test. Then Mom and I went to see the doc. Things at the doc were good. My blood pressure is still amazingly healthy. I was 90-something over 50-something. Gorgeous! Everything was looking good. I posted about most of this last week.

Well, on Thursday afternoon they called to tell me that I failed the one hour diabetes test. So that means I needed to go back to the lab to take the three hour test. UGH! It's not the test itself that worries me. It's the potential results. I went in yesterday to take the test.

I fasted in the morning - no food before the test. I get there and they take my blood as a baseline. Then I drank this super sweet syrupy stuff . . . think McDonald's orange drink, concentrated. You chug about 12 ounces of that and then the clock starts ticking. Every hour for the next three hours they do another blood draw to see how well my body processes all the sugar.

Since the doctor offered to let me pop in and listen to the heart rate whenever, I decided to do that in between blood draws yesterday. The lab was just across the street from the doctor's office. So I headed over there. They put me on a fetal heart rate monitor for about 20 minutes and then went to show the results to the doctor. There was a moment of panic because the baby's heart rate looked low. My doc ordered a biophysical on the babe. This is basically an ultrasound, but they're looking for specific movements.

They said the biophysical could take up to 30 minutes, depending on how cooperative the baby wanted to be. Well, George didn't disappoint! He was perfect. Within a few short minutes he passed all the tests. His heart was beating strong. His chest was raising and falling - he was practicing his breathing. He kicked several times. And he moved his arms while simultaneously moving his torso (one of the things they were looking for). We listened to his heart beat and he was safely in the 170s.

They showed all the results to my doctor who said that the initial heart rate monitor must have been picking up my heart rate and not George's. Everything looked perfect! I even got a new pic of the little guy. Check out this mug:



Everything else is moving along nicely. The blinds for the upstairs have arrived and now we're waiting to schedule the installation. Yippie!! I got a baby gift in the mail today - that's always fun. I also picked out a baby book for George so we can start recording some of our baby moments for him to see.

Next week is another big ultrasound - yeah! This time they want to see how big he really is. Me too! I guess we'll get an estimate on weight. I'll post again later today or whenever I get the diabetes test results back. Stay tuned.

XOX
Liz

The curtains are up!

Here are the pics of George's bedding . . .

Baby bliss is upon me! I had a doctor’s appointment this morning, at 26 weeks. Everything is looking good, but George is measuring a little big – coming in at the 28 week mark. Oops. ;) I didn't gain that much weight though, so it's all babe. The good news with him measuring big – the doc isn’t worried at all AND I get another major ultrasound at my next appointment to check his size/weight. My doc says - why not. We can justify it since he's kinda big and then you'll get to get another good look. She said they’d prolly even turn on the 3D option so I can check out his mug. FUN! So, I will do that on Dec 1st. December?!?! REALLY?!?!? It’s crazy how fast time is flying by.

Ohhh - the doc also said babies born about now have a great chance of living long healthy lives outside the womb, so that's another milestone that's THRILLING to cross!! He could come out any day now and we'd prolly be OK. Now, we'd do everything possible to keep him in there until at least 34 weeks, but it's progress.

In other fun baby news . . . the bedding Mom ordered arrived today. I just put it on the crib and it's sooooo cute. I took a few pics on my cell phone, but it's acting up, so I will have to post those later. LOVE IT!!

We ordered blackout blinds for the baby's room this past weekend, so we should get those around early December. It's all coming together so nicely. WOW!

The trees are up!

We didn't hang the trees yet. I needed to repaint one wall in the room. And, the big tree is just a hair too big, so it needs a little trim. Hopefully we can do that in the coming day or two.

In other great news . . . Mom ordered the bedding and window treatments for George's room!! YEAH MOM!! I can't wait to see it in person.

I went to Home Depot this morning and started the process to order new blinds for the room. We need blackout and cordless for that room. There's a street light RIGHT outside the bedroom and the crib is near the windows, so those two features are critical. I think it'll be 3 weeks before it's all done, but at least it's started.

It's all coming together!
Liz

So yesterday Jeff painted the trees brown. Otto is still keeping a watchful eye on the entire process. Today we'll hang the trees in the room. I'll post more pics when they're hung in the room.

Yesterday I found some new bedding I like. It's the Safari line from Baby Gap - who knew they had bedding?? I'm just trying to decide (again) if I need a whole bedding SET or if I should just keep things the way they are with mix/match pieces. I like how this one incorporates the blue & brown color scheme while still introducing some new colors, like green, yellow and orange. Who knows what I'll decide.

THE CRIB IS ASSEMBLED!!

Otto is also ready for the baby to arrive. One friend said, 'Otto’s look says “get near this crib and I’ll kick your ass!'" I know he's going to be great buddies with little George!

LOTS has been going on, baby-wise, since my last post. I went to the doctor on Monday. Everything is still looking good. Heart rate was in the 150s. Little George was moving a little. Big George and Jackie were in town, so Jackie went in with me and met the little guy. She got to take a few pictures home with her as well. NICE! While at the doctor I got a flu shot, per their suggestion. They also fitted me for wrist splints. Apparently, I've started retaining water. My feet are swelling, but more bothersome is the morning pain in my wrists. They ache and pop when I bend them, so the doc suggested I sleep in splints. I tried them last night. They're very uncomfortable. I ended up taking them off. I will try wearing them again tonight.

The contractor finished George's room last week. It's looking good. Big George and Jeff cut out the trees this weekend. They look GREAT. Now, we need to paint them. Once the furniture is here, we'll hang the trees above the chair rail. I can't wait to see it all put together. I assembled the closet organizer and got the baby stuff we already have put into the room. We also got the new cushions for the chair in the baby's room, so that's all set in there and is looking great. It's an IKEA chair we've had forever that is sooooo comfy. It bounces a little, so should be great for nursing and rocking George to sleep. So, things are moving along nicely there.

We had a great weekend with George and Jackie. They got here on Friday morning. They joined the Stapleton Halloween madness. The boys went to our first Nuggets game of the season. We have a 10-game pack, and that kicked off last Saturday night. The Nuggets lost to the Lakers, but I think the guys had fun regardless. Monday morning we went to the doctor to check on George. All is good there. Tuesday they flew home. Jackie learned to text message this weekend, so we practiced a little more Tuesday afternoon!

My neighbor Sarah is VERY likely to go into labor today. Sounds like the process has started and now we're waiting the arrival of George's friend and school-mate, AJ! HOW EXCITING!! It makes George's arrival more and more REAL!! With that happening, it's time to start cooking for them. I found a few new recipes we'll try, including a chicken-sausage and white bean casserole with sage. Yummy! It's 45 degrees today, so it sounds like the perfect time of the year for this one.

Stay tuned for AJ pics!
Liz