Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Macey: 30/36

Last week I started my weekly visits and, unfortunately, we had a little hiccup. All this time, I have been measuring right on track and have felt really confident that everything was going well in between visits. But during my last appointment, my fundal height didn't change any from 33 weeks and I hadn't gained any weight. So, off to ultrasound we went to make sure Macey was growing appropriately. She measured within the normal range for 35 weeks and my amniotic fluid was at a healthy level. (Also Macey was looking mighty cute in there!!!) So all was well and we were sent home. It did make me a little nervous, though, and I just prayed for growth during the week!

So now I am 36 weeks... and 30 years old!!! I never thought I'd be super-preggo on the day of my big 3-0, but I'm happy to have this memory of carrying my baby girl into a new decade! I always imagined I'd be done having kiddos by the age of 30 and, well, I guess a few weeks' difference isn't that big of a deal! Didn't miss my goal by too much! ;) 


Heart Rate: 130-something - and she had the hiccups while we were doing the Doppler so it was funny to hear that noise in addition to her heartbeat! I was having a hard time not laughing!

Stats: I didn't gain any weight (again), but I did measure bigger than last week. My doctor didn't tell me how much I had grown... probably not to freak me out... so I assume I'm probably still measuring a little small maybe 34-35 cm. (BTW - you can be within two centimeters without concern - she was only concerned last week because I had no change whatsoever.)

Symptoms: WOW my bones hurt! Like, they HURT. Even my most recent trip to the chiropractor wasn't much relief! But I'm in the homestretch and Tylenol and bubble baths are my friend! My iron was also low during my 35 week appointment, so I've been taking iron supplements. I wish I could tell a difference in my energy level with the iron supplement, but I don't.... but I have stopped craving ice! Also... Braxton Hicks! WHOA! I forgot how uncomfortable they can be at the end! Sometimes they stop me in my tracks - not out of pain, just out of discomfort!

Appetite: My appetite has been pretty good! Other than avoiding food that causes heartburn (red sauce!), I can eat pretty much whatever I'm craving without too much aversion. 


Movement: Macey had me freaked out during this past week... after the little growth hiccup, I was super nervous about whether or not she was moving enough. But I finally figured out that she's just really settled into a more noticeable wake/sleep pattern. She definitely has longer periods where she's pretty still... then she wakes up and moves for 5-15 minutes, then she's back to sleep. Sounds like a baby to me! :)


Sleeping: One day I'll sleep well again!

Looking Forward To: Maleah meeting Macey. I just keep thinking about it and I'm already crying!!! Maleah has been SO EXCITED lately about Macey coming. I don't sense a whole lot of jealousy, but I definitely know she will have a hard time adjusting to the change in focus from all-eyes-on-me to Oh, she's busy with Macey again... The other day, I came home around 6pm and Maleah ran up to me (makes you feel SO good!!!) and gave me a big huge hug. Then she started tapping on my belly... I said, "What in the world are you doing?" And without missing a beat, she said, "Macey's ready to come out!". Haha! 

Loving: My husband!!! For real! Have I mentioned how awesome he is yet? This guy just doesn't miss a beat. He is so helpful around the house and with Maleah so that I can rest and take it easy when I need to. Many nights, lately, he has been cooking dinner, cleaning up the kitchen, giving Maleah a bath, and lets me go lay down in the bedroom for a power nap when I need to! And he doesn't complain one bit. Yesterday he said he just tries to do what he can since I'm the one that has to do the hard work of growing a person! It means so much to have a husband who is so selflessly helpful. I'd be a hot mess without him! (Okay, I am a hot mess anyway!)


I really just can't believe our due date is less than a month away! Can't wait to meet this precious girl!

Monday, August 3, 2015

Macey: 33 Weeks

I'm now 34 weeks, but... whatev! I wrote this last week, so... there ya go!

Heart Rate: 125-ish ~ This was the first time that the nurse has had a difficult time finding Macey's heart beat. It took several minutes for her to get a good reading. At first, I just shrugged it off because I know babies can "hide" and make it hard to find their heart beat. But after a few minutes of the nurse silently searching, a part of me did get a little scared. I kept thinking,  I KNOW she is in there! She was moving just a little while ago! Thankfully the nurse was able to get a good reading finally and I have been really paying close attention to Macey's movement since. 

Stats: I measured at 33 weeks and have now officially gained TWENTY THREE pounds. I only gained like 26 with Maleah, so.... here's to hoping I can still fit into my maternity clothes in 5 weeks.

Symptoms: I AM SO THIRSTY! All. The. Time. And whatever I drink has to be ICE COLD. My boss tipped me off to a gas station that will let you get FREE CUPS OF PELLET ICE if you bring your own cup. It's my new favorite place!!! I'm definitely starting to feel more tired again, the way I was in the beginning. It's hard to stay up past 9pm (if I even make it that long!) and I'm just generally feeling more worn out. I'm trying to rest up as much as I can and have definitely learned to let some of the "to-do's" (laundry, dusting, and quick trips to Target to name a few...) go in exchange for a few moments of relaxation!

Appetite: Heart burn reared its ugly head a couple of weeks ago. No more spaghetti, pizza, or anything really spicy. So sad!!! I am also at the point where I get full really quickly, so I can't eat a whole lot at a time or I start to feel like Violet Beauregarde. One of my favorite new smoothies is a really simple one - a Breakfast Essentials chocolate packet, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 frozen banana, and 4-5 ice cubes. Lots of protein and vitamins and it is soooooo cold!!!


Movement: I forgot about how much the baby's movement changes at the end. Macey feels like a little alien in there squirming around! There's a little less thumping around and much, much more wiggling! And she has been getting hiccups a good bit, too! 


Sleeping: Good news! I have had several nights of good sleep recently! By "good," I mean that I'm waking up a little less (3-5 times instead of 6-8), able to fall back asleep quickly, and not as uncomfortable! During week 32, I had the sinus crud and was sleeping terribly. I couldn't breathe and was just completely exhausted. To keep from waking Blake up too much, he slept on the couch. Since I had more room, I played around with my pillows and found a way to stuff them around myself that was quite comfy. Now that the sinus crud is fading away (takes forever to get better when you're pregnant!), the new pillow arrangement is working out quite well!

Looking Forward To: Seeing her in some of these sweet little clothes I've been washing and putting away! 

Loving: BETTER SLEEP!!! I am so grateful to be getting better rest.