First of all, have y'all seen Sew's blog! I just can't believe it! So many prayers going her way!!!!

Second, thanks so much for all of your prayers and encouragement yesterday. Hopefully I won't be hearing from the doctor this week! Although I probably will. They also checked my iron. I have had low iron issues off and on since I was a teenager so I'm thinking that may come back abnormal. I'm ok with that though. I can take an iron supplement, no problemo!

Although I'm still praying for no GD, I'm feeling more at peace about it today. Must be all of your prayers. If I've got it, well then I've got it, and I'll deal with it then. No sense in getting ahead of myself!

So I thought I'd give you a little pregnancy update.

I have been so worried about gaining too much weight. My doctors are real weight nuts and are quick to tell you not to gain too much. The first doctor I saw said he tells all of his women that there is no need to gain more than 20-25lbs. Ummm, most women I know gain more. Anyhoo, I was worried that I had gained a lot over the past 4 weeks because I definitely got much bigger. Well somehow I managed to not gain a pound. Not only did I not gain, I lost 1/2 a pound. Seriously? How the heck did that happen? I am so much bigger!!!! Weight totally baffles my mind. It really is different for everyone in the case of appearances. I'm 25 weeks tomorrow and I've only gained 11lbs. However I look like I've gained about 30. So weird! I could have definitely stood to lose a few pounds before I was pregnant (darn IF, weight gain) but this seems crazy to me. I asked to doctor if I should be worried about the weight loss this month and he said not as long as Mary-Grace is growing normally. Of course I should try to lose but if I'm eating normally and healthy not to worry. He also pointed out that I have nice "birthing" hips so I don't need as much weight gain. Maybe that also explained why my hips haven't gotten any wider. :)

The doctor also measured my belly. I was measuring at exactly 24 weeks. I was 24 weeks 5 days yesterday so that's great!

He brought up the flu shot and asked if I planned on getting one. I told him I wasn't planning on it and he said it was totally up to me but did remind me if the risks. I told him I would think about it but I'm still leaning towards no. If I was still teaching I would but I figure my exposure is really low now.

I talked to him about my daily morning migraines. He said that I can call anytime I feel like the pain is unbearable and come in for some sort of pain shot. I'm going to try to avoid that but it's nice knowing that it's available if I need it.

When we listened to her heartbeat he noted that she was super active. I told him that sugar drink didn't help but that she's alway super active. He liked that and said she must be strong. He said it's very common for women with an anterior placenta not to feel the baby a lot and for the movements not to be strong. She's got strong legs like her mama.

I have another 4d ultrasound next week on the 14th. Wahoo! I can't wait to see my baby girl again!

Other than that I do t see the doctors again until January 4th. After that I go to bi-weekly appointments. I cannot believe it! She will be here before I know it!




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Silly Anxiety! ***Updated

I feel so silly asking for your prayers for this but I've had so much anxiety the past few days about it that I'm starting to make myself sick. Ick!

I've got my glucose screening today at 1:10. That means I will be drinking this nastiness is a few hours.






Oh yummy! I'm just being a bit sarcastic. :)

My mom had gestational diabetes with both of my younger sisters. We aren't sure if she had it with me because she didn't receive any prenatal care. (I don't know if I mentioned it here but my parents weren't married and she didn't tell anyone about me until 20 days before I was born.) I'm thinking she probably had it with me too. Just a hunch. I've heard that it can be genetic so I'm pretty worried.

I don't know why GD freaks me out so much. Everyone says it's not the end of the world. And I know that if I fail this test I may still pass the 3 hour one. I just really don't want to have to even worry about the 3 hour test.

I feel like I'm just going to bomb it. It's so ridiculous because there is no way for me to know that.

I'm worried that if I do have GD, it's going to totally ruin my birth plans. My office induces one week prior to your due date if you have GD. I have been praying and really wanting a natural, unmedicated birth. Induction means Pitocin...and Pitocin is definitely on my "don't touch me with that" list. With Pitocin comes epidurals, and I really just don't want tong there.

I know I'm getting way ahead if myself. And I know that in the end I want what's best for Mary-Grace. I'll do whatever I have to to get her here healthy.

So if you have a second and can say a quick little prayer for me, mostly for peace, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you! Thank you!

** I'm posting this from a new app on my iPhone. If it looks all wonky I'm sorry. :) I'll fix it when I get home.

***Update***

Remember these...



Remember drinking the melted part? That's pretty much what the stuff they make you drink tastes like. Except that it's like drinking 20 of them. No too terribly bad. It does make you feel pretty bad though. It made my stomach upset and my head hurt. I felt like I was on the worst sugar high ever.

Mart-Grace seemed to enjoy it though. She has been practicing her karate ever since I drank it. :)

Of course I don't have results yet. Thy said it will take a few days. If I don't here anything by the end of the week I'm good and have nothing to worry about. I'm hoping for no phone calls!



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PSA

When you need to wash clothes it is imperative that you actually put the clothes in the washer. Running the washer without laundry in it does you no good. The load of laundry will still be dirty. Or in my case, two loads. Yes, I made this mistake twice...in a row.

Bump Pictures! FINALLY!

Note to self: It is not a good idea to wait until you are halfway through your pregnancy to start taking pictures!  It is a serious shock to your system to see what you look like.  Oh my!  Oh my!  I almost passed out yesterday when I saw the picture K took of me.  Sheesh!  I'm getting huge.  I can't believe I'm about to post these on here.  I've never been photogenic.  Weird things happen to my eyes and my smile.  Especially when I am alone in a picture.  I never look like myself and I always look heavier.  K even agreed with me yesterday that the picture he took of me looks about 10lbs heavier that I actually do in person.  Thank goodness because I almost cried when I saw it.  I've always had body image issues and unfortunately they don't go away just because you are pregnant.  Silly me, I thought they would.  But despite my insecurities, I am so happy and so blessed to have this little one swimming around in my belly. :)  If I had to gain 200lbs I would...I may cry...but I would still do it. :)

So, after almost 24 weeks I finally present you with some bump pictures. :)

I took this one at about 20 weeks.  Please excuse my messy bathroom. :)

K took this picture yesterday at 23 weeks 5 days.  Yikes!

On a completely different note.  I am so excited about prayer buddies!  I feel so unworthy to be praying for the amazing woman I am praying for.  I will do my best to pray my little heart out for her.  Prayer buddies makes me giddy!  :)

Thankful

As I sit here and type this my house is filled with the smell of Jim.my De.an Sage Sausage that I just browned for my famous dressing (stuffing).  Yes it's famous...among my family at least.  I've got 5lbs of potatoes sitting on my counter waiting to be cut and boiled for mashed potatoes.  And, there is the first stage of Pione.er Woma.n's Pumpkin Cream Pie is chilling in the fridge.  Thanksgiving Day is a mere 11 hours away and I am finding myself so thankful for all of the blessings God has bestowed on me, especially in the last year.

* It was on Thanksgiving just last year that my infertility became known to my family.  It didn't exactly come out in a way I would have chosen but it still came out.  After years of hiding it, it was a relief to feel like I didn't have this huge secret anymore.  After that I felt like so many of my family came together to support me.  Especially my sister S and my Nana.  Sure, there were still hurtful things said, but it was mostly out of ignorance.

* This brings me to something I believe I've said before.  I am thankful for my infertility journey.  It brought me closer to God than I ever could have imagined.  I believe it played a big role in helping me to come to the Catholic Church.  It brought my husband and I closer than ever and taught us so much about each other.

* I am thankful for my sweet little daughter Mary-Grace.  I cannot wait to meet her!  I am reminded everyday as I continue to take my Pro.gesterone that she is a miracle.  I've said it before, Dr. G is in shock that I actually conceived when I did.  My labs were not looking good in the month leading up to her conception.  There is absolutely no reason for this pregnancy other than one of God's many miracles.

* I am thankful for the kicks I am now feeling in my belly.  I have felt tickles since about 13 weeks but hadn't felt a real kick.  I was hoping every day to feel those little feet but didn't have much hope as several of my doctors and ultrasound techs have told me that I have an anterior placenta.  But then on Saturday I finally felt it.  I was at the retreat I mentioned last week when we were asked to go off in silence, alone, for 2 hours and just listen to what God wanted to tell us.  I found a nice shady spot under a tree by a lake.  After about an hour I decided to lie down in the grass.  Not seconds later I felt it, 3 strong kicks.  At first I wasn't sure it was for real so I put my hand on my belly and just waited.  Sure enough, she did it again.  I think she was having a little party in there because it went on for several minutes.  Every day she kicks more and more and K was finally able to feel it on Monday.  The look on his face made my heart melt.

* I'm thankful for my wonderful, amazing, priceless, handsome, strong, caring, sensitive, loving, protective, man of God husband.  Did I use enough adjectives? :)  I knew he was amazing when I met him, but over the past year our relationship has grown to a new level.  A level I never though possible with any other human.

*  I am thankful for a roof over my head.  I tend to complain about our house a lot.  It's small and not what I would choose.  We bought at the top of the boom and we could now buy 3 times the house for what we paid for this one.  Our plan was to only be here for 5 years and then buy a bigger "forever" home.  Unfortunately that is not going to happen.  This upcoming March will be 5 years since K closed and we will definitely be here for several more years.  Like so many we are upside down.  But you know what, we still have it.  With all of the people losing their house to foreclosure we are very fortunate.

* I am thankful that K is getting busy at work again.  He is a Civi.l Engin.eer so his job relies greatly on the housing market.  If people are building he doesn't have work.  In the last two years we have seen his small company of about 100 people go down to about 24.  We were getting very very nervous.  But, it looks as though things are turning up and for that truly thankful.

* I am thankful for my family.  As dysfunctional as they may be they are awesome and crazy and I love them!

* I am so, so, so thankful for my faith.  If you would have asked me when I got married if I though I would convert I would have thought you were nuts.  In fact I would have told you if I had my way K would convert. And boy did I work hard to try to work that one.  Of course that never happened, it only pushed K to grow in his faith and that ultimately helped me to grow in my new found faith.  God sure does have a sense of humor. :)

* I am also so thankful for all of you ladies.  You have truly been a blessing my my life.  You all have made these last several months so much more bearable.

There is so much more that I am thankful for.  I feel so blessed to be living the life that I am.  God has been so good to me, such and undeserving person.

I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Quick Takes

1.  K and I have been working with our youth group at church since about August.  It is very challenging but also very rewarding.  It is a Life Te.en program, which I know has gotten a bad rep, but K and I haven't seen anything like the awful things we heard about them.  To be honest, we have 3 wonderful priests and they would not put up with some of the things I have heard about.  In fact, these teens attend adoration as part of the meeting for 15 to 30 minutes every Sunday and one of our priests join them.  I have heard many comment that adoration is their favorite part of the night.  Love it!

2.  Since our youth is huge (about 200 teens) we have many adults working with them.  Tonight we are all going on a retreat at the new Bethan.y Cent.er here in town.  I've heard it's gorgeous there and can't wait for a nice relaxing evening and Saturday.  K and I are so thankful to have found this wonderful group of adults.  We have been attending our Parish for about 4 years and this is the first group of real friends we have met.  In fact, there is one couple that we found out lives in our neighborhood! (it's a big neighborhood)  This couple just had a baby girl back in January.  I got to talking to the wife (the whole group knows about our infertility) and she told me that she and her husband dealt with infertility for 11 years.  I asked her about doctor H and Napro and she had never heard of it.  I felt terrible.  Maybe she and her husband wouldn't have had to suffer so long had they known.  We have got to get the word out about this!

3.  My skin has drastically begun to change since pregnancy.  I have never had good skin.  NEVER.  I actually think it has been worse as an adult.  It has always been on the oily side with tons of breakouts.  Well, all of a sudden it's getting super dry.  But of course I'm sill having the breakouts.  Any suggestions on what to use.  I'd like something more natural.  It probably should also be oil free due to the breakouts.  I'm also in need of a new kind of makeup.  I've always used a foundation for oily skin.  That's not working so well anymore.  Any suggestions?

4.  We have finally signed up for our Brad.ley Cla.ss.  I can't believe I waited this long.  Unfortunately because of my laziness the next one doesn't start until Januarly 11th and runs through March 29th.  Yup, that puts me past my due date.  I was so ticked off at myself for putting it off.  I've been emailing the woman back and forth and she said she would be happy to meet with K and I privately between classes to make sure we have everything we need before MG is born.  Wahoo!  She's such a wonderful lady.  She suggested a few books in the mean time too.  I'm going to get them tomorrow.  I have no idea if I will actually be able to handle natural labor but I'm sure as heck going to try!  My fear is getting a migraine from the stress during labor.  If that happens all bets are off and I'm sure I'll be begging someone to knock me out.  We shall see.

5.  I've got banana bread baking in the oven right now...smells delish!

6.  I'm feeling pretty darn good today.  After several days of hormone hell and migraines today seems to be a good day.  Knock on wood!  Thank you to this wonderful lady for helping me to realize that I'm not crazy.  I have never met anyone else who knows how I feel and the pain in my head.  She is truly a blessing.

7.  I'm already 22 weeks!  Where is the time going.  Mary-Grace will be here before I know it.  I can't wait to see here sweet face. :)

Sleep Update

So after my little tirade the other morning I decided not to say much else that day about the whole alarm situation.  However, whenever K would ask me how I was feeling I would always reply "tire," hoping he would get the hint.  Then it dawned on my that I'm usually tired so this was nothing unusual.

The next morning the same thing happened.  I nearly reached across K and grabbed his alarm and threw it across the room.  I decided to restrain myself though.  I'm am so not a nice person when my sleep is disturbed.  It's not something I'm proud of but a person needs sleep!

After I finally got back to sleep I got a text from my sister at 7:30am.  This has been happening a lot lately and I've got a whole post about what's going on there but that's for another day.  I nearly chucked my phone across the room.  I decided not to respond to her because I was afraid I wouldn't be nice.

So I got my exhausted tush out of bed and decided that I seriously needed to get grocery shopping done.  It took a few hours but I finally got out of the house.  This is sad, but grocery shopping zapped whatever little energy I had right out of me.  I got home, put things away (well almost everything, there is still a few things on the counter) and plopped my but on the couch feeling like I was going to fall over.

DH called me on his way home so I decided I should attempt to cook dinner.  I had a specific meal in mind that is easy and only takes about 30 minutes in the oven.  I searched through my recipe stash because I couldn't remember exactly how to make it.  Of course I couldn't find it.  I hadn't made in in a really long time so I wasn't 100% positive how to make it.  That's when I lost it.

By the time K got home I was sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing.  No, it never crossed my mind that I should just make something different.  Then I just unloaded on him.  I told him everything that was swimming around in my head.  It was a lot and I want to talk about some of it with you ladies but I'll bring that up another day.  I have a feeling I'm not alone in some of my feelings.  I sobbed for a good hour and K ordered us a pizza.

I was feeling a bit better so I decided to bring up the whole sleep situation.  K can be pretty sensitive.  Sometimes when I bring thins like this up he feels like I'm attacking him.  I made sure to explain that this wasn't an attack but a desperate plea.  I explained that I really needed his help because the lack of sleep is really beginning to take a serious toll on me.  I gave him some ideas that you ladies gave me along with a few that I came up with.

We have decided that he is going to stop drinking caffeine after lunch.  Apparently he has been having a cup or two of coffee at work at around 3ish and he often has a diet coke when he gets home.  He didn't think it was affecting him, and maybe it's not, but it's worth a shot.  He is also no longer setting two alarms.  iRejoice confirmed what I had always thought.  He sets the second alarm to go off awhile after the first one.  He may not realize it but I think it's sort of a crutch.  He knows he doesn't have to get up when the first one goes off ten times because there is another one that will start going off later.  I have also asked him to keep the tone of his alarm the same and at a louder volume.  He uses his phone as his primary alarm and often changes the tone.  I just think that's a bad idea.  I also feel like he doesn't have the volume up loud enough for him to hear.  If he decides to use his actual alarm I asked that it be on a tone rather than the radio.  If all of this doesn't work he is going to put his alarm on his dresser so he actually has to get out of bed to turn it off.

I pray all of this works!  I really, really don't like screaming at him first thing in the morning.  It makes me feel terrible and it's not a good way for either of us to start our day.   I also would really prefer not to sleep in another room.  I enjoy sleeping next to my husband so much.  It makes me feel safe.  But if it comes down to it I will.  I need sleep.  It's not healthy to get so little on a regular basis.

And like Sew mentioned, not all of my sleep issues are pregnancy or husband related.  I know my body is screwy and I have never in my life slept well.  I've definitely got some adrenal and thyroid issues...and more than likely some cortisol issues too.  They are all things I desperately need to get fixed.  When you read Sew's stories about the exhaustion she feels regularly, the pain in her neck and head, the mood swings, foggy head, etc. that is me.  I feel like she is writing about me.  We are hoping that with K's Christmas bonus I will be able to fly to PA to see her saintly doctor.  I hope! I hope! I hope!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice.  I was so scared people would think I was bashing K.  I don't ever want people to think that.  I love that man and he puts up with a lot from me. :)

And to let you know...K got up with his alarm the first time it went off this morning.  I had to nudge him so he could hear it but he got right up.  It was glorious!

And Danya, you're right, peeing every two hours isn't normal.  I've actually always been like this.  Before I was pregnant I would get up twice during the night.  I've talked to doctors about it because it seemed a little excessive to me.  They never did find anything wrong.  I'm thinking that the reason is that I don't sleep soundly.  I spend most of the night in this light sleep so I think I just feel it more.  I think when you are in deep sleep you don't feel the urge so much.  It sucks!  I'm hoping that when I get to meet Sew's doc and he helps fix me this will lessen considerably.  :)