10 years and 22 weeks

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!

February 2006

February 2007

Summer 2008

December 2008 

July 2010

Fall 2010

November 2012

April 2014

Summer 2014

Can you believe it's been 10 years since Doug and I stood in front of God, family and friends pledging to love one another for the rest of our lives? We have been so blessed on this journey, and I can't wait to see what the next 10, 20, even 50 years have in store for us!

Now, as for the 22 weeks...that's how far I am in this pregnancy!  I am completely slacking in the belly photos this go around, but that's what happens with each child.  Less and less photos...right?

I did go for another ultrasound today.  The tech was unable to take the anatomy measurements (head circumference, belly size, liver, femur length, etc) at the last appointment, so I had to go back.  I was able to take the kiddos again, but the tech this time around wasn't as sociable.  I don't think the kiddos enjoyed it as much, and we didn't come home with that great of pictures.  Here were the two best ones...

Everything still measured on track for a due date of Oct 7, so no surprises this visit!  We once again chose not to find out the sex of the baby.  Dallas and Reba voiced a few times that they would like to know, and Doug even considered finding out.  Momma got the final vote, and I said, "Nope.  Surprise."  Dallas and Reba are both hoping for a brother, and I think that is what Daddy is wishing for too.  We shall see come October!

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...

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...

"Meet" Baby Gertie

Doug, Dallas, and I went to see baby Gertie today! We had a great tech that was very friendly and answered any questions we had. Again...we still don't know what the gender is of baby Gertie. But...Here are the pictures we came home with.

Face
Heart Rate (141 today)

Arms

Legs

Feet

I have a few videos from the ultrasound session. In these videos the head is on the right side of the clip. The big round thing in the middle is baby Gertie's tummy!

This video has a good shot of baby Gertie's feet, legs and arms moving about.

There is an excellent shot of the bottom of Gertie's foot near the end of this clip. You will also notice the knees in this video.

In this final video...it is a good view of the profile of Gertie stretching out and then "curling" back up.

Until next time...

Foto Friday

All week the weatherman had been saying the temps for Thursday would be in the 90's with high humidity. Well, when we watched the morning news yesterday, the weatherman had changed his tune. It only got to the low 70's and was cloudy all day! My friend Laura called me up and invited Dallas and I to the Iowa County Fair with her and her boys. We gladly accepted!

Here is Dallas (in long pants and a long sleeve shirt on July 9th!) trying to get the courage to pet the calf.
He loved the cows! (He did finally pet it)

We stopped to watch the dairy cattle show.

Dallas also loved the sheep barn and the horses. But...I didn't get pictures there.

When we got home, he went straight to his tractor...only he had a little trouble getting it out.

Finally, this morning...Dallas found his new bath towel from Aunt Josie and decided to carry it all around the house!

Have a great weekend!

We are going to see baby Gertie this afternoon!!!

Until next time...

Week 17

I'm sorry that I missed week 16 last week...things were a little crazy around here with Dallas gone and my "kitchen" sitting in my living room while I update it. So...here I am at 17 weeks!

I just got off the phone with the ultrasound office. My next ultrasound is set for July 10th. Hopefully, Doug will be able to pull away from corn pollinating and be able to go along with me. My next pre-natal appoint with Dr. Smollen is July 8th. So until then, I'm just chillin', working in the garden, and enjoying the warm weather with Dallas.

Until next time...