Sunday, February 27, 2011

Diagnosis

On Friday, my Doctor called. Himself. Always a sign something is wrong. Sure enough, my latest 24 hour urine results came back and my protein was 320. For reference, the first one I did was 220, which my high risk OB said was a little high but nothing to worry about. He told me 300 is when we start to worry. Needless to say, my Doc was worried.

He has diagnosed me with mild preeclampsia. I listened carefully and tried not to cry on the phone. He said I need to drink a lot of water, rest as much as possible and he would check my blood pressure again on Friday during our regular appointment. He said if it was high, then we would discuss the possibility of maybe not working anymore. I got off the phone with him and was trying to explain everything to Michael when the waterworks started. I sobbed for a good 10 minutes, and then just when I got it under control, my parents came over for a dinner we already had scheduled and I started again.

Little man has always measured wonderfully. He passed his profile on Thursday with flying colors and I feel him squirming all over. I know he is ok. Of course, that doesn't stop me from worrying that if my BP was too high I would have to deliver, and at 32 weeks, that is too soon for me. By the time I go to see the Doc on Friday I will be 33....ok, but not enough. I want to be able to bring him home with me, not visit him in the NICU.

The possibility of me not working is stressful (great while trying to keep my BP down). My long term sub hasn't even been chosen yet, and I still have so much to do with my students. Of course everyone tells me this isn't important (Have they met me??).

Also, if I have to go on bedrest there are so many things that are NOT ready yet. I haven't even had my shower! Patrick's room isn't ready, I don't even have diapers, no stroller, etc.

The internet is also no help. I should NEVER research topics on my own or read stories. They just make things worse!

My husband can't make it to the Doc with me on Friday because he has to go away with the Guard for the weekend so Mom is coming instead. She knows how to keep me calm so it might be good. Plus she will ask all the questions I will forget as I try not to cry. Michael is also going away for two weeks in the middle of the month for school. I feel horrible. I don't want him to have to worry about me while he is away. I feel like I am messing up all of these plans we have coming up.

I know I don't really have control over the situation. I need to rest as much as possible, try to come to terms with the fact that I CAN'T control it, and I need to just have faith. Say a prayer that my BP is down on Friday, and our ultrasound tomorrow shows that little man is still growing the way he should and is fattening up just in case he needs to make an early entrance!

Meanwhile, if you have any advice or GOOD stories, please share! I need reassurance here.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Poor Ellie

Ellie, or my 2006 Equinox, has had a very rough few months. Back in November there was the incident with the deer, and she spent much of December in the car hospital. Poor thing. I get her back right after Christmas and was so happy for our reunion.

Fast forward to November when I started having problems starting her up in the morning. Sometimes it would kick over no problem, other times it sounded like it flooded almost and I would have to try again. Other times it started, but then the wheel shook like it might stall out for 30 second or so until it got running.

I put off taking it in, hoping it would fix itself (right!). I took her into the dealership Thursday and we received the diagnosis: a bad spark plug wire that caused the spark plug to go bad, and I had a lot of carbon build up in the engine which require a fuel service. Grand total: $524. Fantastic.

I tried to convince them that this was because of the accident, but the insurance company completely denied that. I also have an extended warranty to 75,000 miles, but even they said they wouldn't cover it because it was 'maintenance.' I didn't know spark plugs were maintenance!

Ellie, it's a good thing you are paid off and I like you so much, otherwise, I might have to upgrade!

Friday, February 25, 2011

32 Weeks

How Far Along - 32 Weeks! 2 months left!
Size of Baby - Patrick is around 16.7 inches long and weighs around 3.75 pounds (We will get a more accurate reading on Monday with our level 2 ultrasound!)
What the baby can do this week- According to BabyCenter I am gaining about a pound a week with half of that going to Patrick. He now has toenails, fingernails and hair! His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up for delivery.
Total Weight Gain - 20 pounds. Still on my 1 pound a week, so I will take it. At this rate I will gain around 30 pounds by the time we are all said and and done. I guess I can deal with that!
Maternity Clothes - Of course!
Gender - A baby boy! Patrick James
Sleep - I slept good this week, probably because I was exhausted.
What I Crave - Milk
Symptoms - Patrick is moving all over the place! I love it! The belly is definitely sticking out now! Almost 29 cm at the last appointment. (Up 3 cm in 2 weeks!) My acid reflux is really kicking it at night when I lay down. After getting up to get Tums every night, I now have them right by my bed!
Baby Purchases - We returned the crappy glider and got a new one. It should be here next week. I am still waiting patiently for my shower since I have no idea when it is! I am getting very anxious to get his room done and everything else ready!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Patrick's First Test = A+

Of course Patrick passed his first test....he is Momma's boy! Today we went for our first biophysical profile. It consists of an ultrasound where the measure amniotic fluid, tone, movement, and breathing. The second part consists of being put on a monitor and watched for around 20 minutes to monitor Patrick's heart rate. Basically they are looking to see if it goes up when he moves.

The ultrasound went great, except we couldn't get a very good picture (what a stubborn child). He received a 2 on everything (the highest you can get...of course!). Then we went up for the monitor. He must have decided that after kicking me all day he was tired, so he wasn't moving that much. They had me drink some orange juice to wake him up. It did the trick! They were able to get exactly what they needed and informed me he looked great.

Patrick scored a 10 out of 10! That's my boy!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Snow and Sun

So even though it snowed on Monday night (almost 3 inches!) my mind is still on the sunshine and warmth that awaits us (hopefully!) right around the corner. When we went out to get Patrick's mattress on Sunday, we stopped at the mall and I couldn't help but get this cute little swimsuit and hat :

How cute is that? As much as I want the warmth, it was nice to have off yesterday!

Here are some pictures of the nursery. It is a work in progress that better get finished soon (before I have a panic attack.) Disregard the glider in the corner with plastic still on! We are returning that one (due to the wrong arms and company dragging their feet) and ordering another one. Wish us luck! Above the crib I have a saying to put on the wall. I have to wait for Mom otherwise it will end up crooked and annoy the bejesus out of me!


You can't see the other wall yet because, well there isn't anything to see! Like I said, a work in progress!


Tomorrow we have our first biophysical profile to see how little man is doing. You know how I feel about doing well on tests! Wish us luck!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Ok Phil the Groundhog!

On February 2nd, our little weather predictor Phil the Groundhog let us know that there would not be 6 extra weeks of winter, instead Spring was right around the corner. This past Friday it was a beautiful 70 degrees! It was so nice I had the car windows down and even wore sandals. I. Loved. It.

Flash forward to today. It is bitterly cold and they are predicting 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight. What in the world is going on? I need Spring time temperatures and flowers, not snow! I cannot wait for Spring and Summer to arrive, and of course Patrick :)

Of course, even with me not wanting snow, I wouldn't be opposed to a delay at school!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

31 Weeks

How Far Along - 31 Weeks! Only single digits to go...holy cow!
Size of Baby - Patrick is over 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 lbs (The size of four naval oranges)
What the baby can do this week- He is getting ready to head into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side and his arms and legs are beginning to plump out as fat accumulates under his skin (I love baby rolls!)
Total Weight Gain - 20 pounds. Still on my 1 pound a week, so I will take it. At this rate I will gain around 30 pounds by the time we are all said and and done. I guess I can deal with that!
Maternity Clothes - Sweatpants. HA
Gender - A baby boy! Patrick James
Sleep - Pretty good. I am getting up more often to use the bathroom and tossing and turning as I try to find a comfortable position. It will all be worth it!
What I Crave - I really haven't been that hungry. I think Patrick is smushing my stomach.
Symptoms - Patrick is moving all over the place! I love it! The belly is definitely sticking out now! Almost 29 cm at the last appointment. (Up 3 cm in 2 weeks!)
Baby Purchases - We received the glider (you may have read about that fiasco). We are still getting in contact with the company and trying to get it fixed. Michael's mom bought us the cutest baby blanket. She had it made and it has his name on it. I like it better than the bedding I picked out!
It's kind of hard to see, sorry!

I had an appointment yesterday with my Doc. My BP was back up again :( I have to do another 24 hour urine and get more bloodwork done. I start doing a bio physical profile on Patrick every week. It includes an ultrasound and a non-stress test. Not sure what this entails but basically it is to make sure he is doing ok and moving around like he should. I just hope my BP stays where it is (ideally goes done) so I don't have to worry.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

She wrote what?

I debated even writing this post, but I feel like I have to. Recently, a teacher in PA made news when she wrote on her blog about her students were "out of control" and "lacking good moral character." This 30 years old teacher is a mother, and wrote these posts over the course of a few months. She did also include positive experiences that she had while teaching too, it was not all bad. After the blog was discovered by some students and brought to the attention of administration, she was suspended from her job pending an investigation.

This subject has now been a hot topic in the news and online with many people voicing their support, and others who think she should be the one spending more time trying to reach these students.

Being a teacher myself, I find that many of her postings seem to hit the mark these days, unfortunately. Now, are all students able to be described like this? CERTAINLY not. Unfortunately, with more and more pressure placed on teachers, and less and less support at home, some of our frustration is seen in our students. Perhaps this teacher is in a school where administration is not heavy on discipline, so she feels like she has no support. I do not know the whole situation, but I do feel her frustration.

I have to admit there are days where my students can drive me up the wall. Yes, I have encountered students who are shockingly defiant and rude (My mother would have smacked me had I talked to an adult like that!) Long gone are the days of calling home and having every parent support the teacher.

The fact is, times have changed. Some days, instead of teaching I feel more like a baby sitter, counselor, sounding board for tattle tales, among other job descriptions. With all of this, I still am held accountable. With that being said, I try my best. Some days are better then others, as with any job. I live for those moments when my students FINALLY understand something, or hold the door open without being told to. I don't think anyone truly appreciates how much work teachers do. They get paid hardly anything for the work they do (compared to other jobs). I invite anyone to walk in my shoes for one day. They would be exhausted and probably say something along the lines of "God bless you."

So as for the teacher in PA, I hear you and I agree with you....to an extent. Should she have posted those comments? No, probably not. If she wanted to, she should have done it privately. That doesn't mean I don't understand her point!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

What is it with Furniture we buy?

So Michael's grandparents lovingly bought us the glider we wanted off of our registry. They brought it over the other day and we were so excited to put it together and get our nursery even closer to being ready! Plus I really wanted to sit in it!

Then Michael tried to put it together. He got all the way to the arms of the chair and then realized that the damn holes that were pre-drilled by the company did not fit together! Really? I just don't understand. How does that happen? I would post pictures of how far off they really are but I can't find the adapter to transfer the pictures from our camera (of course!). I mean they weren't even closer, we are talking inches off!

Now we have to send pictures with a MORE detailed description of what is wrong to the company. Why can't they just send us new arms? Why does everything have to be so difficult? GEEZZZ! It better be fixed before Patrick gets here!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am not a big Valentine's day person. Never really have been. I think that even though it is nice to get a card or a nice dinner out, shouldn't I get these things all the time (especially since I am pregnant!)?

Instead of being Debbie downer about the holiday, I hope that everyone else has an amazing day! I hope you get exactly what you wanted or expected. I know personally, we are getting Chinese and watching TV. That is romantic enough for me!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Catching Up

Life is insanely busy around here around now, which is why I have been ignoring this blog. I also don't want to have it completely taken over by baby talk, but the truth is, with 10 weeks to go that is all I can think about really!

Along with trying to pull his nursery together, and stalking my registry (19 items bought from Target, and 11 from Babies R Us!), life in general is just busy!

Every Tuesday until the beginning of March we have Labor and Delivery class. Wow. I think I am more scared and nervous now then I was before. It has been good though. For a Type A person who needs to know EVERYTHING about what is going to happen, it really has been educational. Not to mention Michael's main job while I am there is to give me a backrub. I love it! On Thursdays we have attended an Infant Care Class. Since I have no idea what to do with Patrick, or how to take care of him (even though everyone swears it comes naturally) I think this has been great too. We learned how to swaddle, and according to one Doc on a video we watched, have the 'happiest baby on the block.' We will find out soon if his techniques work! This Wednesday we also are thinking about going to a tour of the hospital. I volunteered on this floor when I was in high school, so I'm not sure how much I will learn, but I will still feel better if I check it off my list. If you are counting, that is three nights this week filled with baby fun. Luckily that's not every week, just this week. After this week, we only have the Labor class to attend!

Meanwhile, work has been busy. We are in our second round of testing, which is stressful to say the least with a new state test this year. I also found out that I will miss the last round of testing and my sub, let's just say, I am not thrilled with. My kids have had her before for thirty minutes and didn't like her, so to say I am nervous about them having her is an understatement. Combine the nervousness with having a new baby, the third round of testing (The one that COUNTS) and a new person, and we have one stressed out Momma. I am seriously considering talking to my Principal about changing my sub. Would that be completely horrible?

If that wasn't enough, I am designing an online class for the University right now and am trying to have it all done by Mid-March, just in case. Hey, you never know...I was 5 weeks early and Michael was 3. Luckily the class is pretty much planned out since I taught it before. I just have to make some minor changes and then transfer everything to Blackboard, the online learning classroom. I could do it in a day if I wanted to, but as you can see my schedule has been quite insane.

Ahhhh. As I type this, my amazing husband is in Patrick's room putting together the glider his grandparents bought for us. As it gets closer and closer, I am getting more and more nervous. I just want everything, between work, designing the course and his room to get finished and for me to feel more in control....the way I like it. I know it will come together eventually, I just have to be patient. Something I have less and less of these days! Something my poor students know all too well.

I have decided to try to take a deep breath, and enjoy my last few weeks where it's just Michael and I. Wish me luck!

Friday, February 11, 2011

30 Weeks

How Far Along - 30 Weeks!
Size of Baby - Patrick is about 15.7 inches long and should weigh over 3 pounds now!
What the baby can do this week- His eyesight is continuing to develop, even if it isn't that good when he is born. He is still putting on that baby fat, and losing some lanugo (the fine hair that covers his body to keep him warm). The brain is developing even more and red blood cells are starting to be produced! (I think this has happened before, but some other organ jumps on board around this time)
Total Weight Gain - 18 pounds
Maternity Clothes - Yes! I have found a pair of tights that are so comfortable. I have a few long sweaters and shirts I can wear with them, and plan on finding more. I need to find some more flats...I think my days of heels is over :(
Gender - A baby boy! Patrick James
Sleep -It is ok. I am exhausted, but finding it a little more difficult to get comfortable. I fall asleep right away, but find myself tossing and turning a lot.
What I Crave - Cereal!
Symptoms - Patrick is moving all over the place! I love it! The belly is definitely sticking out now! Almost 26 cm at the last appointment.
Baby Purchases - Nothing this week. I am still stalking my registry and getting excited by all of the purchases. We are definitely loved by family and friends. I still have no idea when the shower is, but I can't wait! Patrick's room is finished being painted and the crib is together (thanks to Michael!). I hope to get the glider in the room this weekend and then put some more things on the wall. I will try to post pictures next week!

Friday, February 4, 2011

29 Weeks!

How Far Along - 29 weeks; Only 11 to go!
Size of Baby - According to our growth scan this past Monday he is 2 pounds and 14 ounces. I am sure he has broken 3 pounds by now. He should be around 15 inches long!
What the baby can do this week- His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to accommodate his maturing brain. He needs more and more vitamins now, including calcium and iron. Basically the little man is growing, kicking me and getting fatter!
Total Weight Gain - 18 pounds
Maternity Clothes - Yes! I have found a pair of tights that are so comfortable. I have a few long sweaters and shirts I can wear with them, and plan on finding more.
Gender - A baby boy! Patrick James
Sleep - Very good! I have been knocked out the past few nights. I am just so exhausted, even after getting 9 hours of sleep!
What I Crave - Cereal!
Symptoms - Patrick is moving all over the place! I love it!
Baby Purchases - My Mom purchased the crib for us this past Monday and it came TODAY! Talk about quick delivery. As I type this Michael is putting it together and won't let me see it. He is so excited and it is just too cute. This weekend while he is at drill I am going to try to paint a majority of the room. So much for just trying to patch the few spots - it's the one color we don't have, OF COURSE! Oh well! I will post pictures when more is finished!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Patrick Update!

We had out growth scan on Monday and everything was perfect! I love it when I pass tests, especially when little Patrick passes them. He weighs 2 pounds 14 ounces, and was kicking up a storm. His heart looked fantastic and there was fluid in his kidneys and stomach which means he is swallowing and going to the bathroom. Good for him!This is a little hard to see but it's a profile of his face and his little fingers are up with his thumb in his mouth.

Of course we tried to get a good 3-D picture of his face and he just wouldn't cooperate. He is so far pushed up into my tissue that we just couldn't see him and no matter which way I turned he stayed put! Looks like he has his Dad's stubborn temper! At one point she also checked his spine and skin around it to make sure everything was closed. He moved away QUICK from the wand. The technician joked he wouldn't like backrubs. Also sounds like his father!

The tech (who was wonderful!) Also did a unofficial biophysical profile on the little man. I have to get these done every week starting at 32 weeks. It checks things like his heartbeat, whether he is breathing, how active he is, etc. He passed with flying colors at 28 weeks and 3 days! I am so proud! You could see his little chest moving as he 'practiced' breathing!

We had our first childbirth class last night, and it was ummm, interesting! We saw the birth video and Michael commented how it was nothing like on TV! I think the best part of the class (after getting the beejesus scared out of me) was when we practiced different positions and breathing and Michael had to rub my back for at least 30 minutes. Best $60 ever spent! I can't wait for next week!

On a side note, the weather here is GORGEOUS! In the 60's. I don't want to get used to it though because it will be back in the 30's tomorrow. Bummer. But at least Phil the groundhog didn't see his shadow today which means spring is right around the corner! YAY

And of course, registry update: 13 items on the Target registry bought, and 6 items on Babies r Us INCLUDING the stroller. I was so excited last night!! (I know, I am a huge dork, but I just can't help it!)