After getting the crib together, we decided to make it Baby Gertie's bed. We had orignally planned on moving Dallas into this room, but we have now changed out minds. This crib doesn't set as low as the one Dallas is currently in, and we are afraid that he will be able to climb out. Plus, there is a shelf of tractors over the crib that he would be able to get his hands on very easily!
I'm still feeling well, just getting anxious for Baby Gertie's arrival. I forgot to mention in my doctor appointment update post that we learned Dallas will not be able to meet Baby Gertie in the hospital...he will have to wait for us to bring her/him home to meet. The hospital is not allowing any visitors under the age of 18 during the flu season. Doug and I are really bumbed about this, but we also understand the precautions the hospital is taking. I learned from a friend in Kentucky, that is due in December, that her hospital is not allowing any visitors in the maternity area besides the father! Thankfully, my hospital is allowing adult visitors, but that is limited to 2 at a time. 
Until next time...
Can you tell he was very excited about his new combine?
Sunday started with church, followed by breakfast, and then it was back outside once again for another nice afternoon. Luckily, the Colts game wasn't being shown here so it was easier to get outside and not spend the day watching football! Doug borrowed the neighbor's ladder to clean out the gutters. I casually mentioned we hang the Christmas lights since it was so nice - and Doug agreed! Especially since he already had the ladder out.
We did turn them on for a short time Sunday evening to see how they looked, but I promise I will not turn them back on until after Thanksgiving!
That's our weekend in a nutshell! I go tomorrow (Wednesday) for another Baby Gertie check-up, as well as an eye doctor appointment. I started wearing contacts again a couple weeks ago, and I have to do a follow-up to make sure the prescription is good and the fit is comfortable.
Don't forget the baby pole...click here to submit your guesses!
Baby Gertie and I go to see Dr. Smollen tomorrow! I will let you know how that goes, but as for now, I'm doing well. I'm really starting to get to the uncomfortable stage. Not much longer until Baby Gertie will be here...so it is all worth it!
Until next time...
Make sure you submit your guesses for the baby pole (see previous post).
I am headed to the doctor this morning for another Baby Gertie check-up. Let's hope my blood pressure is down this time! I will update how it goes when I get home. I am feeling lots better, and not coughing as much as before, but sleep is getting very difficult. I just can't get comfortable. Oh, well...I guess I'm just preparing myself for those every 2-3 hour feedings!
Now, as you look at this week's pictures...remember that I took these at 10:50 p.m. This was after canning applesauce and apple butter with a friend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and after teaching my weekly religious education class. In other words, I'm a little tired.
I think Baby Gertie has shifted her* position...look how much farther my belly is sticking out this week!
I had a check-up yesterday with Dr. Smollen, and everything is still going great. Baby Gertie is still just as active, even if she is running out of room. My weight was down a pound...how that happened, I'm not sure. But my blood pressure was still up...due to this cough I'm still hanging on to. Baby Gertie's heartbeat was right around 160, so that's good too.
I'm feeling much better as far as this cold/cough is concerned. The medicine Dr. Boelter gave me last week has helped tremendously! I have been able to sleep a lot better - until last night when the leg cramps returned. Oh well. 
Baby Gertie is doing awesome...putting on weight just like s/he should be, and making my belly grow daily. Take yesterday for instance...I was on my way to the grocery store, and was making a turn, when my belly got in the way and I hit it with my hand! Dallas can hardly sit in my lap anymore...thankfully, he is content sitting beside me when we read stories.
How I am feeling: Pregnancy wise, I'm still doing good. My leg cramps in the middle of the night have not been happening near as much, and I'm only having to get up once to go to the bathroom. In general health, I'm not 100%. I have had a scratchy throat and cough for over a week now. At my OB appointment on Monday, Dr. Smollen did a strep test, but it came back negative. I have an appointment tomorrow with my family doctor to see if there is something else going on. I do not have a fever, nor do I have aches...just the cough and sore throat. It has not gotten worse, but it has not gotten better. Thankfully, neither Doug nor Dallas has picked it up!
As far as Gertie news, s/he is still very active - especially at night...s/he has been waking me up in the middle of the night with kicks and rolls and what not! Doug and I are still undecided on names. I guess when we hear the perfect one, we will just know!
I am still feeling well, just getting more tired each day. I have reverted to the "sleep when the baby sleeps" theory. Therefore, I am not getting much done around the house during the day. Oh, and I am definitely beginning to waddle as I walk, too! Baby Gertie and I go for another check-up on Monday. Then the check-ups go to every other week.
Until next time...
Baby Gertie and I had our monthly check-up last Wednesday (Sept. 2). I also did my glucose screen at that point for gestational diabetes. I have not heard a thing back from the doctor's office...so we are assuming no news is good news. As far as the monthly check-up, everything is still on track. I was up a whopping 4 pounds since my last visit four weeks ago! I guess that means Gertie is growing.
All in all, everything is still the same: lots of movement from baby, energy level is going down, leg cramps in the middle of the night, and of course, not being able to find a comfortable sleeping position!
Sorry, I turned more away from the camera this week...I guess you get more of a "rear" shot this time! As you might guessed, I have moved up to wearing Doug's t-shirts this week! Mine were getting to be too tight in the mid-section, thus causing them to be too short. Yes, I have maternity tops, but I refuse to wear my good shirts for just around the house - especially when I can be in a comfy t-shirt and lounge pants. 
Not only, have I reached 26 weeks, but the count down until due date went under 100 days this week! Not much else is new in the preggo department other than Baby Gertie is a very active one. I sometimes think s/he is more active than the toddler I have running around the house! Doug has been able to feel some pretty good kicks from Gertie as well. Maybe one day, Dallas will hold still long enough to feel the baby move as well.
Topic #2 - Food!
I made ka-bobs using lamb meat from one of my parents' sheep, along with tomatoes, onions and bell peppers grown in our garden! The sweet corn came from the patch Doug's group has at work. All-in-all, it was delicious (and cheap)!
Until next time...
Baby Gertie is doing great. Dr. Smollen was so proud that I still "have my ankles" for being preggo during the summer. I said that I tried to pick the best summer to have pregnant (very little heat). Baby Gertie's heartbeat was slower today - about 140 beats/min...I think s/he was sleeping during the appointment. I go back in another month. With that appointment will be my gestational blood glucose screening. I'm not too worried about it...it's the hour long wait with a very busy little boy that concerns me. Maybe I'll get a babysitter for that appointment.
A little side note. Today, at the appointment, I weighed in at the same weight that I started at while pregnant with Dallas! Craziness.
Grow baby, grow!
Until next time...