Another doctor's appointment, another long wait in the waiting room for a quick and rushed meeting with the doctor.
The worst part of the appointment was finding out that I have gestational diabetes. Two weeks prior, I took the 1-hr glucose test, then got called in for a 3-hr glucose test (which are stories in themselves!). Looking at the test results, I am just over the threshold for the level of glucose that should be in my blood.
Why am I not excited about this?
First, this can affect Baby Wynne (because he/she will make too much insulin as a result of the excess sugar in MY blood). Usually this results in babies that grow bigger ... but their organs (specifically, the lungs) still develop at the normal rate. So Baby Wynne might be a big baby that still needs to incubate!
Second, I can deal with the diet changes (less carbs ... I don't really eat sweets as it is), but just the thought of all the EXTRA doctors appointments are killing me already. I hate doctors as it is and now I have to set up multiple appointments with multiple doctors/techs/nurses (and try to fit that all into a full-time work schedule, along with my normal OB appointments). Oh well, I will try not to complain about it, because I love Baby Wynne.
What's the positive of it all?
We get a few more ultrasounds of Baby Wynne! We need to check her/his growth a few more times, so it'll be great to see Baby Wynne! If I get photos, I will be sure to share!
Next appointment is this week ... then probably next week ... then definitely the week after that ...
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: +3.5 lbs (6 lbs total)
Baby's Heartrate: 145bpm
October 31, 2011
October 26, 2011
Have Baby (in utero), Will Travel!
Baby Wynne hasn't been born yet, but is already traveling!
Baby Wynne's current travel stats:
The first trip for Baby Wynne actually was the DAY after we found out about him/her!
Friday, we get a positive pregnancy test; Saturday, we're on a plane!
Friday, we get a positive pregnancy test; Saturday, we're on a plane!
Baby Wynne's first trip was down south to visit one of my oldest friends Stephanie and her husband Andrew and their 4 kids. Spending the weekend after discovering that you're pregnant with a 4 year-old and triplet-boy-1-year-olds is definitely an experience! :) We also spent 2 days in Orlando visiting all the sites that we plan to bring Baby Wynne to for her/his second birthday (Disney!!)!
There were plenty of roadtrips this summer -- mainly to Buffalo and PA to see family and friends.
The most recent trip was with Grandma (my mom) to Las Vegas and Arizona for a conference and my cousin Ashley's wedding.
Ryan and I are dedicated to continuing with our love of travel, even with a kid! I am sure it is going to be a bit more difficult when the kid isn't in the easy-carrying-case of my womb, but we are determined!
Baby Wynne's current travel stats:
Number of States Visited: 7
(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona)
Number of Plane Rides (including connecting flights): 6
(By the way -- Pregnant ladies out there -- you can board the flight early. This is especially useful when flying Southwest, which lacks assigned seats!)Here are some photos from Baby Wynne's in utero travels:
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| At the Magic Kingdom! (We hope to be back for Baby Wynne's 2nd Birthday!) |
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| Baby Wynne takes the Hogwarts Express! |
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| Kayaking in Lake Ontario! |
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| With Grandma in Arizona (for Cousin Ashley's wedding) (Yes, I am wearing a sequins dress while 6 months pregnant!) |
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| Baby Wynne at the Wynn! |
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| Enjoying the Vegas Strip! (I am pretty sure it was almost midnight too!) |
October 24, 2011
Bouncing Baby!
Baby Wynne is already an overachiever.
This week, I started doing "kick counts", as suggested by multiple books I have read. Basically, I lay down, relax, and count any movement by Baby Wynne. I time how long it takes Baby Wynne to move 10 times. The goal is to make sure Baby Wynne is moving 10 times within an hour (if it takes longer than that, more than a few times in a row, then this should be discussed with the doctor).
Here are the data so far:
Time it takes Baby Wynne to move around 10 times:
Day 1: 11min22sec
Day 2: 7min37sec
Definitely less than an hour!
No complaints, as Baby Wynne isn't a rough mover. I think he/she is more of a dancer than a soccer star at this point. Maybe a swimmer? Even the "harsh" kicks aren't that bad yet!
I have felt Baby Wynne consistently moving around starting during Week 22 or so (though I felt a random "unsure" movement quite a few times before that). Ryan first felt Baby Wynne around Week 24, but it wasn't a daily occurance until about Week 25/Week 26. Now it's everyday!
As I write this, Baby Wynne is kicking up a storm! I think she/he knows I'm "talking" about her/him!
This week, I started doing "kick counts", as suggested by multiple books I have read. Basically, I lay down, relax, and count any movement by Baby Wynne. I time how long it takes Baby Wynne to move 10 times. The goal is to make sure Baby Wynne is moving 10 times within an hour (if it takes longer than that, more than a few times in a row, then this should be discussed with the doctor).
Here are the data so far:
Time it takes Baby Wynne to move around 10 times:
Day 1: 11min22sec
Day 2: 7min37sec
Definitely less than an hour!
No complaints, as Baby Wynne isn't a rough mover. I think he/she is more of a dancer than a soccer star at this point. Maybe a swimmer? Even the "harsh" kicks aren't that bad yet!
I have felt Baby Wynne consistently moving around starting during Week 22 or so (though I felt a random "unsure" movement quite a few times before that). Ryan first felt Baby Wynne around Week 24, but it wasn't a daily occurance until about Week 25/Week 26. Now it's everyday!
As I write this, Baby Wynne is kicking up a storm! I think she/he knows I'm "talking" about her/him!
Baby Bump Week 28
Week 28 already?? Crazy!
I definitely feel like I am looking more and more pregnant with each passing day. Still feeling GREAT (knock on wood!), but feeling bigger and bigger!
Here are the "normal clothes" and the "black dress" photos:
I definitely feel like I am looking more and more pregnant with each passing day. Still feeling GREAT (knock on wood!), but feeling bigger and bigger!
Here are the "normal clothes" and the "black dress" photos:
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| Week 28 Baby Bump |
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| Week 28 Baby Bump |
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| Week 28 Baby Bump |
October 21, 2011
Stuff I love (Prebaby)
While we have purchased and have generously been given many baby items, we haven't really used many of the items yet!
Of the few things we have actually used, here are a few I love and must share with you:
(1) Body pillow!
My bestest friend Kimmy gave me her body pillow about 3 days after I told her I was pregnant. And it is WONDERFUL! I sleep with it every night. It really helps with back pain and leg pain and getting comfortable with the ever-expanding baby belly.
Now, I want to point out -- this is your basic body pillow. Not one of those fancy "pregnancy pillows" that are super expensive and surely not worth the $50 to $70! You can buy this one at Target for $9.99
http://www.target.com/p/Room-Essentials-Body-Pillow-White/-/A-13614316
There are also lots of cute covers that you can match to your room (if you are crazy like me -- we put a cute gray one on the wonderful gift from Kimmy!)!
(By the way -- Ryan loves this too! As soon as I get out of bed in the morning, the pillow becomes his. A comfort to both of us during pregnancy!)
(2) Dropps Baby Laundry Pacs
My friend Becky mentioned Dropps on her blog a long time ago and I picked some up for us once when I saw them at Target. I immediately fell in love! We stopped buying regular laundry soap and now only buy these.
They are little pacs of laundry soap that you toss in the washing machine with each load. No mess of sticky soap all over the laundry room (which drove me crazy!). LOVE!
That's all I can think of for now, but I am sure there will be more stuff I love that I will post about, just in case you want to check it out too!
Of the few things we have actually used, here are a few I love and must share with you:
(1) Body pillow!
My bestest friend Kimmy gave me her body pillow about 3 days after I told her I was pregnant. And it is WONDERFUL! I sleep with it every night. It really helps with back pain and leg pain and getting comfortable with the ever-expanding baby belly.
Now, I want to point out -- this is your basic body pillow. Not one of those fancy "pregnancy pillows" that are super expensive and surely not worth the $50 to $70! You can buy this one at Target for $9.99
http://www.target.com/p/Room-Essentials-Body-Pillow-White/-/A-13614316
There are also lots of cute covers that you can match to your room (if you are crazy like me -- we put a cute gray one on the wonderful gift from Kimmy!)!
(By the way -- Ryan loves this too! As soon as I get out of bed in the morning, the pillow becomes his. A comfort to both of us during pregnancy!)
(2) Dropps Baby Laundry Pacs
My friend Becky mentioned Dropps on her blog a long time ago and I picked some up for us once when I saw them at Target. I immediately fell in love! We stopped buying regular laundry soap and now only buy these. They are little pacs of laundry soap that you toss in the washing machine with each load. No mess of sticky soap all over the laundry room (which drove me crazy!). LOVE!
Greatest news -- they have a BABY version too! I have already washed up some baby clothes with them.
I get them at Amazon.com now, and with free shipping (yay AmazonMom program), they ship to me every two months. The discounts come to 29 cents per load for Baby Dropps and 23 cents per load for dye-free Dropps for us. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N447OMThat's all I can think of for now, but I am sure there will be more stuff I love that I will post about, just in case you want to check it out too!
October 15, 2011
Commonly Asked Questions #4
I've been through the most commonly asked questions (#1, #2, and #3), but there are a couple of other questions that have come up too. This 4th one is asked by people that work with one of us or know us well enough to know about our busy jobs:
"Are you going to continue working after the baby is born?"
(Or "Is your wife going to continue working?" if it is asked of Ryan)
Answer: YES!
Because I am an eternal optimist, I am hopeful that all will go well and I will be back at work a few weeks after Baby Wynne arrives, just 2 days a week and then back to full-time after a few months.
For the first 9 months, the plan is that Baby Wynne will be with either Ryan or me. We've worked out our schedules and we think this is possible. We don't live near family, so, come Fall, Baby Wynne will be in daycare (hopefully just 3 days a week). And we hope we get into the daycare that our good friends Bridget and Jonathan have their baby in (so our kids can be friends!).
Why am I surprised/bothered by this question?
I am a college professor and worked really hard for many years to get a PhD in biology. I have a full-time, well-paying job that I really love.
My husband also is a college professor that worked really hard for many years to get a PhD in biology and has a full-time, well-paying job that he really loves. But no one has asked him if he'll be working after the baby is born.
"Are you going to continue working after the baby is born?"
(Or "Is your wife going to continue working?" if it is asked of Ryan)
Answer: YES!
Because I am an eternal optimist, I am hopeful that all will go well and I will be back at work a few weeks after Baby Wynne arrives, just 2 days a week and then back to full-time after a few months.
For the first 9 months, the plan is that Baby Wynne will be with either Ryan or me. We've worked out our schedules and we think this is possible. We don't live near family, so, come Fall, Baby Wynne will be in daycare (hopefully just 3 days a week). And we hope we get into the daycare that our good friends Bridget and Jonathan have their baby in (so our kids can be friends!).
Why am I surprised/bothered by this question?
I am a college professor and worked really hard for many years to get a PhD in biology. I have a full-time, well-paying job that I really love.
My husband also is a college professor that worked really hard for many years to get a PhD in biology and has a full-time, well-paying job that he really loves. But no one has asked him if he'll be working after the baby is born.
October 11, 2011
Just 3 more months ...
... until Baby Wynne is due!
I am equal parts: excited, anxious, scared and happy!
I am equal parts: excited, anxious, scared and happy!
October 9, 2011
Baby Bump Week 26
I meant to take photos every couple of weeks, but I never remember!
Definitely looking more pregnant now and less fat. Strangers even come up and ask about Baby Wynne, so I am pulling off the pregnant look now.
Here are the 2 photos for Week 26 (one in "normal" clothes and one in Ryan's suggestion of "consistent" clothes (black dress)). They were taken at night, so I look exhausted and there is a shadow behind me, so just focus on the baby and not me! :)
Definitely looking more pregnant now and less fat. Strangers even come up and ask about Baby Wynne, so I am pulling off the pregnant look now.
Here are the 2 photos for Week 26 (one in "normal" clothes and one in Ryan's suggestion of "consistent" clothes (black dress)). They were taken at night, so I look exhausted and there is a shadow behind me, so just focus on the baby and not me! :)
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| Week 26 Baby Bump |
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| Week 26 Baby Bump |
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| Week 26 Baby Bump (bonus!) |
Dr appt Week 26
I think I was supposed to go to the doctor's at Week 24, but we were out of town and the Fall semester work schedule is a bit more hectic than summer, so it ended up being Week 26 before I actually got in. Oops.
Nothing exciting to report. Just a quick 10-minute appointment (after an hour wait in the waiting rooms!!!!).
I mainly got yelled at for postponing my Glucose Tolerance Test (calm down people, it will get done next week!) and took some measurements and listened to Baby Wynne's heartbeat. I also got a flu shot, which was good, because I wasn't sure if pregnant women could get a flu shot (and I work with college kids, which is almost worse than working at a day care when it comes to germs!).
Next appointment in 3 weeks!
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: +1.3 lbs (2.5 lbs total)
Baby's Heartrate: 140bpm
Nothing exciting to report. Just a quick 10-minute appointment (after an hour wait in the waiting rooms!!!!).
I mainly got yelled at for postponing my Glucose Tolerance Test (calm down people, it will get done next week!) and took some measurements and listened to Baby Wynne's heartbeat. I also got a flu shot, which was good, because I wasn't sure if pregnant women could get a flu shot (and I work with college kids, which is almost worse than working at a day care when it comes to germs!).
Next appointment in 3 weeks!
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: +1.3 lbs (2.5 lbs total)
Baby's Heartrate: 140bpm
October 6, 2011
Pregnant women are smug
As posted by my friend Sonia (when she announced her pregnancy!)
So many great lines ....
So many great lines ....
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