Week 37 and Baby Poll

Holy Moly!  We are almost to the end of this pregnancy...here is what I'm looking like these days.

When people ask how I'm getting along, my typical response is that I'm "hanging in there."  I don't feel bad, but I don't feel great.  The baby has really slowed down on its movement in the last week, and I have slowed down as well!  I am having contractions here and there, and I'm having quite a bit of back pain.  I'm also experiencing pain/pressure in my upper inner thighs (sorry if that's too much info), but I don't remember this same pain/pressure with the other pregnancies.  I started feeling this particular pain while at the Kentucky Fair, but then it went away after 2-3 days.  Then, other day my foot slipped out from under me when I stepped on the garage floor with a somewhat wet shoe.  I didn't do the splits, but it was the start of them.  I was able to catch myself, but it definitely flared up this pain again.

Last week, at my check-up, I saw the Nurse Practitioner, Ashley, because Dr. Alvey was on vacation.  Ashley did the Strep Group B test (and I found out today that it came back negative).  She also checked my progress, and said that my cervix was beginning to soften, but she would not call it dilated to a 1.  She also made no mention of effacement.  

Today, I had my weekly check up with Dr. Alvey.  She checked me and said that I was dilated to a 1 or 1.5, and that I was 60% effaced.  She also brought up the topic of induction, and how I felt about it.  I said that we (Doug and I) have no objections to being induced...seeing as the first 3 all came that way!  Dr. Alvey did say that she can't induce labor before 39 weeks, so we still have 2 weeks before we can consider that route.

Lastly, while Dr. Alvey was checking the heartbeat of the baby, it was rather fast.  It was up around and above 180 beats/min.  Typically the baby's heart rate has been around 150.  Dr. Alvey listened for a bit longer, and it didn't really slow down.  She ordered for me to have a non-stress test where I was hooked up to a monitor for about 20 minutes to record the heart rate and movement.  During that time, the baby's heart rate had returned to normal.  The monitor even showed I had a contraction during the test! 

I did feel like I was on Jeopardy, because I had this cool little button to push each time I felt the baby move.

Alright...So, enough of that...

I did dig out a particular shirt this morning for my 37 week picture!  I had to wear it to give you all a good comparison of each pregnancy.

With that...I'm going to open up the Baby Poll!

Here's how you play...

1) Click on the comment link at the end of this post
2) Take a guess at what day Number 4 will arrive
3) Take a guess at what Number 4's length will be
4) Take a guess at what Number 4's weight will be
5) Finally, take a guess if Number 4 is a boy or girl!

Make sure to leave your name, especially if you don't have a blog log in name.

Here's how you can play if you don't have a log in: Leave your guesses, and then select the "button" for either -Name/URL or -Anonymous.

If you choose -Name/URL, then just type your name in the name box...You can leave the URL box blank.

Here are some helpful tips when thinking of your guesses. My due date is Oct. 7, and this has changed.  I originally thought I was due at the end of October.  With Julianne, my due date was Dec. 5, and did not changed during the pregnancy.  She was born on Dec. 6th - by induction.  Julianne weighed 7 lb 12 oz and was 21 in long.  With Reba, my due date was Nov. 19th and did not changed during the pregnancy. She was born on Nov. 17th - by induction.  Reba weighed 7 lb 4 oz and was 20 in long.  With Dallas my due date was originally March 24th, then it was moved to March 4th. Dallas arrived March 11th - by induction. Dallas weighed 8 lb 8 oz and was 21.5 in long.

Until next time...

Week 20

I know, you are probably surprised to see I'm already doing a week 20 post.  Honestly, I am, too.

This pregnancy is definitely flying by!  Let me back up.  I "officially" found out the last week of March that I was pregnant.  I had been extremely tired for the previous 6 weeks or so, I originally contributed it to the long winter we were having.  Anywho, I figured I was no more than 8 weeks along, so I put off setting up an appointment with my doctor.  

On April 13th, I had my first appointment.  At the appointment, the nurse practitioner had a hand-held ultrasound machine that she said would be able to pick up an image if I was at least 8 weeks along.  I was thinking I was 10 weeks (at the most) at this point.  The NP was quite surprised with the image on the screen and stated that I was at least 12 weeks!  She couldn't give me an accurate date, as the machine was not accurate enough to take measurements (it was the size of a smart phone).

I scheduled my next appointment for May 4th, along with a full ultrasound to determine my due date.  I was able to take the kiddos along for that visit, and they were super excited to see the baby on the big screen.  

Here are a few of the images from our visit

The tech was wonderful, and we had a great visit.  Although, I was quite shocked, once again, at the end of the ultrasound when the tech stated that I was 17 weeks 5 days along!  That was almost 3 more weeks than I thought.

So, here we are...half way through the pregnancy.  My official due date is Oct 7.  Let's hope Doug will be done with harvest at that point!

Enough of my story, here is my comparison picture!  Let the guesses begin: boy or girl?

L-R: Dallas ('07), Reba ('09), Julianne ('13), and #4 ('15)

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos

Before we know it, this little lady is going to be "army crawling"

The kiddos really enjoyed the tulips outside the school a few weeks ago

These two can't get enough of each other

Splish, splash!

They always love to go for wagon rides

Julianne has started using the jump swing, and she LOVES it!

and, you know I love a good comparison...

Here's Dallas the first time in the jump swing

and here is Reba using the jump swing the first time

FYI: the kiddos are roughly the same age in the above photos - just shy of 5 months old

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Look Alike?

Just for fun, and because I like to compare.  Here are all 3 kiddos at roughly the same age.

Julianne - 2 months

Reba - 2 months

Dallas - 1.5 months

So, what do you think? Any resemblance?

Until next time...

Week 38

First off, I want to remind you all to go to my Baby Pole post and submit your guesses for Baby B#3!

With my recent neglecting of the blog, I missed last week's Baby B update.  Here is my bump photo from week 37...

I also have a comparison to each pregnancy from week 37...

L-R: Dallas (Buckwheat), Reba (Gertie), and Baby B#3

If you remember, I mentioned I would have another ultrasound during my appointment last week.  Doug was able to get off work, and we took the kiddos along too so they could see the baby once again.  This was the first time that I had an ultrasound at this stage in the pregnancy.  Both Doug and I thought we would be able to see the baby really well and that the kiddos would be able to see.  We were a little wrong though.  Because the baby is "larger", it didn't all fit in the ultrasound picture.  Therefore, we were really only able to see "parts" at a time; such as the belly/torso area or the head.  We did see the heart beating clearly, and we were also able to hear the heartbeat.  I think the heart rate was around 138.  The tech tried her hardest to get a picture of the baby's face, but with the baby being head down and facing my back, she couldn't get the wand in the right position.  Plus, the baby had its hand over its face!

Here are the two photos we came home with...

One of the face (I know it doesn't look much like a face; remember Baby had its balled up fist over its face)

Baby toes and the ball of its foot

The main reason for the ultrasound was to take some measurements.  The tech estimated the baby to be at 7 lbs 3 oz (the size Reba was when she was born!).  She also measured the torso and the head, and found them both to be in the "normal range" for my stage of pregnancy.

As far as my weekly appointment with the doctor, it went great.  I was up a total of 17 pounds since the start of the pregnancy, and my blood pressure was once again normal.  At week 36, I was tested for Group B Strep infection.  The results came back negative - if you are keeping track of those results, I was negative during my pregnancy with Dallas and positive with Reba.  Also, at week 36, my doctor checked me, and I was about 25% effaced and dilated to a 1.  At week 37, I had progressed to 50% effaced and dilated to a 2.

Today, I had another appointment.  It is hard to believe my due date is merely two weeks away!  My appointment was pretty routine.  Check my weight (up a half pound since last week).  Check my blood pressure (118/68).  Listen to Baby's heart beat (not sure what the rate was, this doctor never tells me).  Finally, check to see if I made any progress since last week.  I'm sad to report that I am still the same (50% effaced and 2 cm dilated).

Here is this week's photo of the bump...

The kiddos still love to feel the baby.  They find it funny that the hard bump at the top of my belly is the baby's bottom!  They also like to feel when the baby pokes out its heel, knee, or elbow.

I am still feeling well, but to be honest, I'm ready to meet this baby!  Sleep is very difficult, and yes, I realize sleep will be difficult with nursing a baby every 2-3 hours through the night.  The heart burn and indigestion is really getting annoying.  One thing I find funny at this point is that I don't have a problem eating.  I can remember getting to a point while pregnant with Dallas and Reba where I would take one bite and be full.  I'm not there yet.  I still go back for second helpings!  I'm hoping this means I can enjoy the Thanksgiving meals next week.  Lastly, I do believe Baby has "dropped" because I don't feel him/her in my ribs like I used to.

Until next time...remember to add your Baby B predictions here.

Week 20

I thought I should update you all on Baby B's progress.  Today marks the start of week 20, which means we are half way through the pregnancy.  For the inquiring minds...here is the bump!

This past Tuesday, we were blessed to be able to "see" the baby!  I had a routine 20 week ultrasound to check on baby's progress and take measurements.  We also did NOT find out the gender of the baby - remember we like the surprise.

The baby measured in at 12 oz (not even a pound, but somehow I have gained 5...)  We also heard a strong heart beat at 152 beats/min.  The kiddos did great during the ultrasound pointing out the nose and head and feet.  At one point, Dallas was convinced he could see the baby's teeth moving and proudly stated the baby was eating!  We explained that the tech was zoomed in on the baby's heart and he was seeing it beating.

Here are a few more pictures we were able to bring home of Baby B

The baby had its legs crossed...it didn't want to reveal either!

Look at the tiny baby feet!

A different few, the baby all curled up - you can clearly see the spine in this one.

I also had my monthly visit with the doctor, and she was pleased with the baby's progress and said everything looked great.  She answered a few questions for me, including the issue with my blood type.  I have always been typed as O+, but this pregnancy prenatal blood work came back with a blood type of O-.  They (the doctors and blood lab) believe that I have a weak D antigen.  Basically, if a person has the D antigen on their red cell surface, they are a positive blood type.  If there is no D antigen present on the red cell surface, they are a negative blood type.  Mothers who are "weak D" are considered positive and do not need the treatments for prevent hemolytic disease (HDFN) in babies.  Mothers can also be "partial D" meaning one or more parts of the D antigen is missing.  These mothers are considered as a negative blood type and should be treated for HDFN.  I had another blood draw done on Tuesday for the lab to double check that I have a weak D antigen and not a partial.  You can read more about HDFN here.

OK...that was a lot of technical talk...one last picture though.  A comparison of all three of my pregnancies at 20 weeks!

Until next time...

Windows: Complete!

Last week, the window installers came back to finish wrapping the trim on the outside of the windows.  You might remember in this post, I mentioned how the colors did not match when they were here earlier.

This was the view from my front window for most of the afternoon...

custom bending the trim

Here is how the house looks now that it is complete!

A few closer up, comparison views (old windows on left, new windows on right)
Living room window on east side of the house

Living room windows on the north/front side of the house

Bedroom windows on the north/front side of the house

Bedroom windows on the west side of the house

Until next time...

Upgrade Project

This week, we had a major project going on at our house.  We got new windows!  

We had talked about it before, but had not actively looked into it.  Then, one day, a salesman stopped by and asked if he could meet with us to discuss new windows.  I took the bait.  That lead to getting a few different estimates, and going forward with the project.  We also had more insulation blown into our attic.

New homes are required to have at least 15 inches of insulation.  We had about 3 inches in our attic!  Let's hope these new upgrades make a difference in our electric and gas bills.

Now, onto some out with the old and in with the new pictures...

         old window on the left, new window on the right

Dallas' bedroom (facing the road)

D's room to the NW

Living room (facing the road)

Master bedroom (facing the backyard)

Master (looking to the NW)

Reba's room (facing the road)

We only had 9 windows to replace, and the workers were able to switch them all out in about half a day.

Unfortunately, the trim metal was the wrong color when they started to finish the outside, so they have to come back and finish that on another day.

Until next time...

Combine Ride

Yesterday, while visiting after church, my friend Carla's father-in-law was kind enough to offer the kiddos a combine ride.  Needless to say, they were very excited and did not stop talking about it yesterday afternoon or this morning!

They had a wonderful time, so thanks again Jerry!

Reba ready to go - wearing her first pair of Carhartt bibs

Quick side note/picture - here's Dallas wearing the same pair of overalls at just over 1 year old!

March 21, 2009

Apparently we were taking too long to get going, so Dallas thought he would just drive to the field

Waiting and watching

There they go

Having to empty another load

Sorry, I know it's not the best picture - Reba had been sitting on the lunch box and Dallas is in Doug's lap

Until next time...