Let's be honest....

Well, I guess if I could post my good weight gain at my last appointment, I should be honest and post how it all evens out eventually... So this time I managed to gain 5 lbs since my last visit. That's crazy! Now how sweet is my husband? When I told him... he said, "that's okay, you had only gained 2 lbs in the other 4 weeks, so that just makes 7 lbs in 6 weeks... and that's just over a pound a week...that's still really good!" That definitely made me feel better :)

Anyway.. it's all for good reason. I am now going to the doctor weekly, and everything is looking great. The swelling in my ankle from this weekend even went down and the doc told me I had darn good looking ankles for 35 weeks pregnant! :) It's still kinda surreal that at my visits now, the important things they tell me are about knowing when to go to the hospital, and making sure I know how to get there! I guess we really are almost done!

We had our last class at the hospital last night, so I guess we're supposed to be all trained and ready... ha! I fully expect to not know what to expect. I am still really relaxed about the whole birth process. I figure there's no point getting myself all worked up about it or having too many expectations of how I want it to go, because you just never know. We've read and gone to classes and talked to friends, and I'm just trusting that we'll remember what we really need to when it's happening. Now, I just need a few free days to get my to-do list done. Still no bag packed, no carseat in the car and no recovered glider! :) I have a feeling that's going to be the story of my life for the next few years...

A Great Visit

Amniotic Fluid: NORMAL!!

Baby's Sex: BOY (just checked again to be sure!)
Baby's Size: 5lbs 4oz - 75th percentile
Head Size: Average!! (can you believe it?!)
Head Position: Down & prepped for delivery!

Cheeks: Cute & chubby! :)

Hair: He has some!
Heartbeat: Strong
Baby's Organs & Internal: Looking Good!
Estimated Due Date: still July 15th
Mommy's Weight Gain: 2 lbs (Perfection as the Dr. put it!) :)

Everything looked great/normal, and I go back a week from Monday, and then start going every week! He actually dropped from the 85th to the 75th percentile size-wise, which she said is perfectly normal and actually GREAT news for me as I get closer to having to get him outta me! We got to see some great shots of him... he even let us see his face this time, which looks plump and adorable. He looks like he's got full lips like both of us do and a fat little nose and chubby cheeks like me. It was definitely a fun doctor's appointment!

6 weeks 6 days!

Today is ULTRASOUND day! :) I always look forward to these doctor's visits... they are doing this one because of the extra amniotic fluid I had about a month ago. Hopefully the midwife was right at my last visit and the fluid level has decreased to normal. I am so curious to see our little guy again... I'm especially curious to see how he is positioned! This morning he felt so high up in my ribs that I actually couldn't lean forward to eat my cereal at the table... I had to lean back, trying to stretch out my abdomen and just hold the bowl up to my face! :) My appointment is this afternoon, so if we get some good pictures of BabyW, I'll post them soon.

Now I'm off to fill out all this confusing paperwork for my FMLA and Short-Term Disability benefits...yuck! I hate paperwork!

Big Relief!

Now that's more like it. I had my appointment today with the new doctor, and it was wonderful! She was so professional and kind and thorough and genuine. I felt completely comfortable with everyone there and was just so thankful that God gave me some extra grace and it was not only just "fine" it was actually a great experience. Funny story: When I went to get blood drawn, I turned to my side and saw a bulletin board of pictures... one of which was of my cousin, Shaun - random! So of course I asked whose pictures these were, and as it turns out, the lady sticking a needle in my arm is his girlfriend's mom. So she gave me updates on my own family (haha) and we talked about Aunt Bea & Nana going to the Homerun Derby and loving baseball. Anyway, what a small world.

Mike went with me today and we both were astonished at what a night & day difference it was from the other practice. Baby W. seems to be doing great. We heard his heart beating strong and she gave us more details from my ultrasound that the other doctor didn't take the time to do. She even said at my next appointment, she'll do another ultrasound just for peace of mind and so they'll have it on record - it's always fun to get a peek at him. So I go again in 3 weeks and then I start going every 2 weeks. Wow...that makes me feel really far along! Anyway, it was a good day.

I even got to work from home the rest of the day and all day tomorrow since there are painters doing work on my hallway at work and I'm not supposed to be around those fumes. Fine by me!

A New Day!

Some of you know the story. I had a terrible experience with my OB practice, but was kinda stuck there until I could switch my insurance and find a new practice. I don't usually resort to negative publicity... but I was so appalled at the lack of care, that I'll warn you all... don't ever go to Beach Midwives - Valentine OB/GYN in Virginia Beach. So far, my experience with baby doctors/midwives has been a huge source of stress and frustration... and I was just counting down the days until I could go somewhere new!

Well, tomorrow is finally that day, and I've never been so excited to go to a doctor's appointment! It does feel a little strange to be meeting the doctor who will hopefully deliver our son when I'm almost in the 3rd trimester, but I can't tell you how relieved I am! Even though I haven't met her yet, I have a good feeling about it, and she came highly recommended (thanks Ashlea, Carletta, and Mike's co-workers) :) God has been gracious, and as much as I was sick and had lots of concerns earlier on, I've managed to make it 5 weeks feeling great and not needing to call the old practice...my ultrasound at 20 weeks was my last contact with them, and as of today, I'm officially on Mike's insurance and can take a big sigh of relief.

So, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Partially because I'll take any reason to get out my office for a few hours, but mostly because I'm looking forward to this part of my pregnancy being more positive and full of anticipation like it should be.