So many updates!

Well, as of today I am 34 weeks pregnant and should have about 6 weeks to go - but, I really only have about 3 weeks! At my 32 week appointment the doctor discovered that my blood pressure was higher than it should be. So, I was told I had "severe pregnancy induced hypertension". The sent me for blood work, had to do a 24 hour urine test, and then upgraded my condition to "pre-eclampsia". What this means is that I have high blood pressure, a decreased platelet count, and a high level of protein in my urine. So, I have been on bed rest for the past week, and will remain that way until our little girl is delivered.

She is still doing great and is growing right on schedule, well, a little ahead! Every Monday we have a BPP (biophysical profile) to check her lung function, fluid level, movements, and placenta function. Last week and today she scored an 8 of 8! Last week I had steroid injections to help her lungs mature a little faster, so everything is looking good!

The preinatologist we meet with every week told us that I will be induced at 37 weeks if my condition doesn't worsen. So, we are looking at about Jan 12th for her due date! I pray that everything continues as it is now, and she can cook for another 3 weeks! At the appt today she was estimated at 5lbs 14oz, so at least we know she will be a healthy size!

Anyway, that is the update. I look forward to every Monday and Wednesday when I am allowed to leave the house for doctor's appts! Sad, I know!!!

32 week update - the good and the bad

Well, I went to the Dr this morning because I wasn't feeling well. I have been coughing a lot and just wanted to make sure everything was okay. The Dr said I just have a viral infection and that there is nothing to worry about. My lungs were clear so there is no fear of bronchitis or anything - yay for the good news! So, I can take Tylenol PM at night to help me sleep. Other than that, it just has to work it's way out of my system. Another piece of good news was that my blood sugars look great and there is still no mention of needing insulin!! I got to hear Brighton's heart beat, and it was nice and strong at 154 BMP! She has been very active the past 2 weeks! Last night Jeff was actually able to feel her have the hicups!

Now for the not-so-good news. The Dr said I had 2+ protein in my urine (whatever that means) and my blood pressure was high. This is the first time the entire pregnancy that I have had high blood pressure! It was 122/96. They said the combination of the high protein and the elevated blood pressure makes me a candidate for "pregnancy induced hypertension". Yippi! Now instead of going in every 2 weeks, I have to be seen every week to monitor the blood pressure. I am at a high risk of developing pre-eclampsia which can lead to an early delivery. But, they are going to watch me closely so everything will be okay! I had blood work done, and have to do a 24hr urine collection - the fun times just keep coming! Oh, and I take my blood pressure twice a day at work and record the numbers. If I get about 140/90 then I call right away. So far I haven't been in that range!

Anyway, that is the latest! I finally got the nursery primed, so we just need to paint and get all the trim work done. We still have lots to do! But, school gets out on the 18th, so hopefully we will have a little more time then! I'll try to post a new picture soon!!

Thanksgiving and our trip to Colorado

This Thanksgiving Jeff and I flew up to Colorado to visit family and friends for the holiday! At the time I was 30 weeks, so flying was still okay by my Dr! The flight was good - a little uncomfortable towards the end, but nothing too bad. I didn't have any swelling or anything!
Anyway, when we got up there on Sunday my wonderful mother-in-law and sister-in-law threw me a baby shower! It was so much fun! Thank you to all the wonderful ladies that attended - you really made me feel special! Everything was perfect and I couldn't be happier! Not to mention I was truely blessed with everyone's generosity! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The rest of our trip was relaxing just spending time with family. Jeff and his dad worked on the baby's furniture in the evenings - I am sooo excited about seeing the final product! Now I just have to be patient until they get to come down after Christmas! We had a great trip and weren't ready to come home. But the positive side is we get to see mom, dad, and Steph again in a few weeks! Yay!

29 weeks - 11 to go!!

Wow - that is hard to believe! We had a pretty good weekend this weekend. I was able to pick up the baby bedding on Thursday and it is sooooo cute!! So yesterday I finally picked out what color I want to do her room (thanks Mandy for the help)! And Jeff and I put together her crib! Yay! We have something in the room now! Hopefully this week I will get some painting done before we leave for Colorado! Here is the weekly update - even though our little one is bigger than it says! :)

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

28 week appointment!

This morning we had our 28 week appointment and everything went great! Jeff and I were able to see our little girl again! And yes, she is still a girl, and yes, there is still just 1 of her! Well, it looks like we are going to have a big girl! When they measured her femur, she was in the 96th percentile!! Looks like she has her daddy's legs! And, she is estimated to weigh 3 lbs 1 oz right now. Her overall size put her in the 73rd percentile, and she was measuring about 1 1/2 weeks early! When we read her sonogram report they actually put 1/22/10 on there! Now, that doesn't mean she will be born that early, but that she is growing at a good rate! The doctor expects we will have a 8+ pound baby!

My appointment went well too. I got the Rhogam shot since I am 28 weeks along and have A- blood. My blood pressure, belly size, and blood sugars all looked good! And, I only have to check my blood sugars 2 times a day now! Yay!! So far this pregnancy I have gained about 11 pounds, with 7 of them coming in the last 8 weeks - my doctor was happy with that too.

Anyway, here is the picture of Brighton today. She was head down and laying on her right side, so it was hard to get a clear shot of her face. But, if you look hard enough you can see her chubby little cheeks, her ear, hands in front of her face, and maybe a little hair! Oh, I can't wait to see her in person!!!

A very productive weekend!

This weekend Jeff and I got a lot of stuff done! Let me just say, I have a wonderful and amazing husband, and I feel truely blessed to have him in my life! He worked his tail off this weekend around the house! All of our stuff is moved out of storage, and there are 2 little boxes waiting to be un-packed...then we are done!!!! Jeff organized the garage and put stuff up in the attic so I can actually park my car in the garage - I am very excited about that! Saturday we went car shopping for me. I really like my Murano, but feel like I need something bigger to start hauling baby stuff! So, we went to Carmax and I found a Tahoe (online) that I really like. All the finances are approved, so we just have to wait for it to come in from San Antonio. Hopefully sometime this week I will have a new vehicle!

Yesterday Jeff worked like a mad-man outside in the yard. We have about 1/2 acre, and the previous owners had some pretty interesting plants everywhere! So Jeff pulled out pretty much every plant in the front yard (trust me, none you would want to keep) and finally mowed down all the weeds...the front of the house looks so much better!!! Now we just have the other yard to do!

Oh, another thing we did on Saturday was pick up our crib! Actually having it at the house (still in the box) has made me anxious about the baby's room! Hopefully this weekend we can start painting the trim and doors so that next weekend we can work on the walls! Anyway, that is the update from the Bernard house! Have a great week everyone!

27 weeks down...13 to go!

My goodness time has started to fly by! Today I am 27 weeks along, and I can't believe that in under 3 months our little girl will be here! She is moving a lot more lately, and Jeff is able to feel her will a little more ease. She does have her quiet times, and that makes me a little nervous! As I sit here to type this, my little girl has her first hiccups (right on schedule)!!!! It feels like a little tapping on the inside about 1 sec apart from each other - hope that means she is growing! I am feeling good still, and blood sugar is right on track! I am starting to get a little uncomfortable at night, but I know that is just the beginning!

Anyway, here is the 27 week update:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Only 1 more week until we get to see her again! Yay!!!