Good News!!

I think it's safe to say I am in the clear.  Doesn't look like I'll be getting put on bed rest this go around!!  I couldn't be happier.

At my 24 week cervical length visit they noticed some funneling and shortening of my cervix.  This is the exact same time it started happening with Aaron.  So they immediately put me on progesterone instead of waiting any longer.  My 28 week appointment came and went with no problems.  First major milestone because that was when I was put on bed rest with Aaron.  And today I had my 30 (almost 31) week appointment, and they are still happy with my measurements.  Now it does fluctuate, but it's still within the "ok zone".  And today they told me I don't have to get my cervix measured anymore!!!  A HUGE milestone for this pregnancy.  I'll continue taking my progesterone until 37 weeks when I'm considered full term.  I really feel like starting the progesterone early is definitely helping.  Well, and maybe the fact that I know what I should/shouldn't be doing while pregnant.  I'm sure you recall my neurosis with Aaron's pregnancy.  

Now I know this is probably way more information than you ever cared to know about my cervix or any cervix, but it really is a big deal for me.  This has been a big stress factor for me since I found out I was pregnant.  I knew the possibility of this happening again was 50/50, and I pretty much prepared myself for it to happen again - hence stockpiling food, prepping freezer meals, trying to get the nursery organized early, etc.  And now I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy knowing that I more than likely will not be put on bed rest.  Such a huge relief.

Thank you to my friends and family who have been praying for me, sending good vibes, telling me everything is going to be ok, etc.  I'd especially like to send a special thank you to my grandpa Bosch who apparently has an "in" with the Holy Spirit.  Heck, grandpa knew I was pregnant and knew what I was having before I even did.  So thanks, grandpa!

If you've been wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth since I haven't blogged in a while, this was a big reason why.  I have been waiting to get to this point, and hopefully share some good news.  And it's also hard to blog when you have a toddler, work all day, and then fall asleep by 8pm each night.  AND - I just started a new job almost 3 weeks ago.  I'm still with SF, but I (along with 30 or so other people from my previous department) was told I would be moving to this new department to work on new projects focusing on the claims environments.  While it is proving to be a bit more stressful, overwhelming and in depth that I thought it would be, I believe this is going to be a great opportunity for me in the long run.  I have more responsibilities, and am going to see a couple of projects through from start to finish in a very short period of time.  I'll be able to say that I was a part of this major initiative for claims.  I just need to make it through...alive.


OK, back to baby.  All is well.  She's still breech.  She moves around a lot, and loves to kick my bladder.  She gets the hiccups a few times a day - which is cute, and then becomes a little annoying.  Oh, and she has been craving cereal the past couple weeks.  Here are a couple of her current favs.

Oreos are better as cereal.  

Is this the largest bag of cereal or what?! I have to store it in the garage.

 
And here are a couple of obligatory belly shots from 30 weeks.  I'm getting bigger.  Things are starting to ache, and it's really annoying to have to walk long distances.  But I'll take it, because I'm not laid up on my couch!

Chat with you in another month ;-)

Stockpiling

Lots of people ask how this pregnancy is different than last pregnancy.  So far it has been different in various ways.  But one way it has been different is that I don't have an urge to clean the kitchen everyday, or clean my house everyday for that matter.  Maybe that's because I have a  2 year old and there really is no point to clean, because it will just be dirty/cluttered 5 minutes after I'm done.  I kind of just kick things to the side or hide them in the storage ottomans.  If you know me, you know this is hard for me, but is something I'm working on.  

I really have been trying to take it easy this pregnancy given my issues with my pregnancy with Aaron.  I am trying everything to avoid bed rest this go around.  But if for some reason I end up on it, I have taken up a new hobby - stockpiling.  I want to be prepared with every day items to make things easier on us.  I even have a freezer full of meals just in case.  And if I don't have to go on BR (oh please, oh please, oh please!) then I will be happy I have a supply when I'm exhausted and the thought of putting on makeup, doing my hair, brushing my teeth and getting dressed to go run errands makes me want to cry.

The first things I started stockpiling were laundry detergents and other various household items.  Whenever something is on sale, and I have coupons, extra bucks, rewards dollars, etc. - time to stock up!

I've also been stocking up on a few baby products and various toiletry items for Bryan and I.  I need to start working on my diaper and wipe supply next.    

And the last staple to my stockpile, especially in the winter months, is various canned and dry pantry goods.  And when Meijer or any other grocery store has 10 for $10, AND you have coupons - time to stock up!  Today's trip to Meijer made me skip out of there like a schoolgirl. 

Maybe one day I'll get to build a house that has a butler's pantry off the kitchen so I can store and organize this stuff in one place.  

This is what I've been up to.  I'm no extreme couponer, but maybe one day I'll get there.  Well, not extreme because those people are nuts, but getting things at a major savings, or free, is always fun!!

Christmas Cookies

Yesterday we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Nickel's house to decorate Christmas cookies.  Of course, I took this activity very seriously.  I might not let anybody eat these beauties.

Aaron was more concerned about consuming the frosting.  But he managed to get some of his own works of art in there.  I was very proud of his creations.      

Can't wait to eat these treats on Christmas!!

Discovery Museum

We took Aaron to the Discovery Museum a couple of weekends ago.  We finally got over our fear of disease harboring play places after the hand/foot/mouth episode this past summer.  While our Children's Discovery Museum is not as awesome as The Magic House, Aaron still had a good time.

Thankful

As I'm sitting here on the couch watching Finding Nemo for the twelfth time this week, I can't help but smile and just be thankful.  Thankful for family and friends.  Thankful to have a warm home, a roof over my head, and a ton of good food in my belly - which makes me thankful for maternity pants.  Thankful for these little belly kicks.  Thankful for my family of 3, soon to be four - especially this "Memo" fanatic to my left.  He makes my heart happy every day.

21 weeks (tomorrow)

I hope you all had a very filling, both in love and food, Thanksgiving!!    

Baby Update

Had my 20 week sonogram yesterday.  The BIG sonogram.  You know, the one where they take all of the measurements and check all the things...like gender.  Yeah - I said gender.  Are you all dying to find out what we're having?!  Well, so are we.

Baby was being very sleepy and uncooperative, and just wouldn't reveal themselves to us.  At least they are modest.  I blame the turkey sandwich I ate at lunch.  Tryptophan... what was I thinking??  I may as well have just slipped it a NyQuil.  I should have drank a Mt. Dew or something before I went.  Regardless, everything looks good.  Baby is measuring within 3 days of the due date.  And things are still looking good with me.  So really that's all I can ask for.  

We were excited to do something special, and tell our families on Thanksgiving - but ya'll are just going to have to wait now.  I'm actually taking this as a sign that we aren't supposed to know the gender until the big day.  I originally didn't want to find out, but Bryan really did - so I just got it in my head that we were going to find out.  If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is?  This pregnancy has been a bit different than Aaron's, so maybe I should just keep doing things differently.  We'll see how long I can hold off!

Fun Facts:

-I'm 20 weeks (almost 21 weeks)
-The baby is about the size of a banana now
-I'm starting to feel the baby move more; it especially loves to kick or head butt my full bladder
-Speaking of full bladder, I have to use the ladies room every 20 minutes
-I'm tired
-No real cravings still, just have to eat often so I don't get sick.  If I don't eat often, I get hangry, and you don't want to meet hangry Lindsey.

Sometimes...

I iron my shirt with my hair straightener - and then I check off "multi-tasking" from my to-do list.

Does anyone else do this?

Speaking of to-do Lists, does anyone else write down things they've already done just so they can cross them off?  Wake up - check!  Eat breakfast - check! It's a great way to feel accomplishment early in the morning.