28 Weeks - Introducing: Elise Rose

Happy 3rd trimester to me!

And I think we've finally settled on a name, folks!  We have gone back and forth (and back and forth and...) on the name over the past few months and keep coming back to Elise.  Jason first thought of the name while thinking of a Lotus Elise (yes, a car) when I was pregnant with Logan and when we looked it up, it means "consecrated to God".  Wanting to have a little more detailed definition, I looked up 'consecrated' and here are a couple of the main definitions: to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity. to devote or dedicate to some purpose.  Now, I believe that everyone has been given a special purpose but I pray and believe that this little girl will be set apart to serve the Lord.  As for the middle name, we had originally chosen Noelle since she will be born in December and I've always loved that name but it just didn't feel right.  I was thinking about it earlier this week and my mom's middle name, Rose, just seemed to fit and gave me the warm fuzzies.  Jason says her first and middle names are too pretty to yell together, but so is Elise Noelle so we'll just have to get over it ;).  I will probably end up calling her Ellie or Leesie or something like that but we're pretty confident that her name is now set :).

On to this week's happenings.  I had my 28 week checkup on Wednesday immediately followed by another ultrasound.  I saw another OB doctor (there are 3 at the practice I go to) and she was super nice.  She said she had looked at my glucose test results and I did awesome... she measured my fundus (?) and said my belly was right on track for being 28 weeks along.  In total, I have gained about 15 pounds and she said that's perfect for where I am and my blood pressure was still around 110/70, which is great.  The ultrasound was just as good if not better.  They checked all of the baby's measurements and she is measuring right on track (or possibly a few days ahead).  Her estimated weight is 2 lbs 13oz and we saw her moving and kicking, clenching her fists, and I think she even blinked a couple of times.  The doctor spent quite a bit of time looking at her heart and we could see the 4 chambers and he said the arteries were in the perfect position and the blood was flowing correctly.  Having experienced everything we have with Logan's heart, those words were especially comforting.  At the end of the ultrasound, the doctor said that everything looks perfect and he sees no need for me to come back unless my OB says otherwise.  With Logan, I had ultrasounds as frequently as my OB appointments, so it will be a strange yet nice change to not have all the extra appointments :).  I kind-of have the strange feeling of, "wow, this is normal!" I'm feeling very blessed right now :).

Movement
As usual, this girl is very active.  I keep thinking she's doing jiu jitsu or flashdance or something in there.  This afternoon I felt a foot move about 4" across my belly.  She's currently head-down so she's been punching my bladder and kicking at everything else :).

Appetite
My appetite is pretty normal, I'd say.  I've been eating regular snacks between meals but I haven't been seriously pigging out.  I've been enjoying fresh pineapple but I think I might have an allergy to it because after I eat it, part of my tongue gets red and swollen and it hurts for about a day.  Not sure what that means, but I guess I'll avoid eating it for a while.

Size
I might just exclude this from future posts because it's going to be the same every week.  My belly is large and in charge.  I get comments almost daily from people I know as well as complete strangers.  I'm trying to keep a level head about it because it's nothing I can really control.  I'm just thankful that I'm healthy and she's healthy.  I feel very secure with my body while I'm pregnant because I feel like my body is doing everything it needs to in order to bring a healthy baby into the world.  I just look like I'm smuggling a basketball :).

Contractions
Nothing yet that I can think of.  I thought I was maybe having some the other day but I kinda forgot that I had eaten an ice cream bar and... I'm a bit lactose intolerant when it comes to certain dairy products.  I texted Jason about it (he was in Boston) and he said "trust me, I know gas" and he was right.  *Ahem*  Anyway... no contractions yet :).

Pain
The sciatic nerve pain I was experiencing last week has pretty much gone away.  I'm guessing the baby has changed positions and I'm very grateful :).  I can actually halfway control my waddle now since I can walk without limping.

Nesting
I haven't really done much of any nesting yet.  I did get some fabric to sew a couple of Boppy pillow covers but haven't finished them yet.  They're on the list :).  I'm planning on pre-making some meals to freeze (I did it with Logan and they were SO helpful) but I'm waiting to do that until sometime in November.  Let me know if you're interested in helping ;).

That's about it for now.  Will be back in another week!

28 Weeks - 3rd Trimester!

I can't believe I'm in my 3rd trimester now!  I just can't wrap my head around the fact that in approximately 12 weeks, I'll be a mommy and there will be a baby in the house.  I get so excited just thinking about it :).  I'm not really nervous yet, but I'm sure that will come as we get closer to my due date.  I'm still praying that he will come naturally and that there won't be any need to induce me.  I want as little medical intervention as possible.  I guess this brings me to something I've been working on for the past month or so.  I still have yet to put it all down on paper (that's my next step), but I've been putting my birth plan together for when I go into labor.  A few people have asked me about an epidural and my answer is that I want a natural birth, which means no epidural.  It's not that I want to impress anyone or prove something to people, but it's a personal choice and I'm very adamant about it.  I'm sure I'll be tempted to change my mind when I'm having contractions every 3 minutes apart and I'm 8cm dilated, but I'm pretty determined to hold my ground... and if any of you know me personally, I'm very stubborn ;).  I'm still working on the rest of my birth plan, but if you'd like, I can post it here when I'm finished :).  Just leave me a comment if you're interested in reading it.

Anyway, this week has been interesting.  Jason left for Brazil last Sunday (for 3 weeks), so it has been pretty quiet around here.  I have done a LOT of relaxing, but I'm starting to get a little lonely.  Our dog tries to keep me occupied, but he can't speak English, so there's only so much he can do ;).  I keep praying that the time will go by quickly so that he'll be home again and a week has already passed, so I think I'll be ok :).

My back hasn't been hurting as bad lately, which is nice, but I still wake up every few nights with reflux.  I'm going to talk to my doctor about it tomorrow and hopefully it will be a thing of the past.   All-in-all I've been doing pretty well and feeling good :).  I only have enough energy to do a couple of errands/chores at a time, but I'm slowly getting the house organized.  I've gotten more stretch marks lately, which stinks, but it's all part of pregnancy.  The worst part is that my stomach has started to itch because of the stretching.  The cocoa butter industry must love pregnant women... they've gotten a lot of my business ;).

I guess that's about all I have to say about this week, so I'll move on to the GAME, yay! :)  I set up an account at ExpectNet.com for everyone to enter their birth guesses.  His gender has been confirmed 3 times now (and probably again tomorrow), so I hope no one enters "girl" or you'll be penalized 400 points ;).  You don't need to create an account to enter guesses, you just go to the following website and enter how much you think he'll weigh, what day he will be born, etc.

http://www.expectnet.com/games/LoganSnooks

I will also put a banner on the side of the page so you can access it anytime that way.  Enter as many guesses as you want!  When I get closer to my due date, I'll close the pool so nobody can cheat ;).  When Logan finally arrives, I'll post who the winner is :).

And now, on to the development details:

• Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring just under 15 inches long, he weighs approximately 2 1/4 lbs. He will continue to gain body fat in the coming weeks to prepare him for life outside of your womb.
• At 28 weeks, your baby can recognize your voice! His eyes continue to develop this week and his brain is developing millions of neurons. The hair on his head continues to grow. Muscle tone in his body steadily develops, and even though his lungs are now capable of breathing air, it would be difficult for him if he were born now. 

My ultrasound with the cardiologist is tomorrow at 11:30am.  Please continue to pray for complete healing of Logan's heart.  Also, I have my 28 week checkup on Tuesday as well as another glucose test.  Please pray that I pass the test easily and that I won't have any problems with gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.  I'm trusting God for a healthy remainder of the pregnancy :).  Thank you!!!