Goodbye 2nd tri!

This pregnancy has seemed to take forever, but now that we're 27 weeks and officially moving into the third trimester, I feel like everything is going to start picking up pace - and I don't feel ready at all!

Granted, the prepared childbirth class was interesting: a 10 hour day of lecture about contractions and epidurals, hospital policies and relaxation techniques. I have to admit that I really didn't learn anything NEW, but it was good to hear it from professionals, rather than just my books. Matt looked over at me more than once during the day to whisper "You've already taught me all of this", which is true. I've sucked up information on pregnancy and delivery like it was going out of style for the past year (my goodness, it's almost been a year since we found out we were expecting the first time!), but now I'm realizing that I am pitifully lacking on information regarding what to do with GB once I get her home. Luckily, I have a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card and plans to buy What to Expect the First Year.

I have to admit that Matt and I were probably not the best students on Saturday. As in every high school class that we had together, we ended up egging each other on when it came to not paying the strictest attention - particularly during the segment on relaxation and breathing during labor. Okay, people, they put us on the floor with pillows in the dark DIRECTLY AFTER LUNCH! Then they turned on a video and told us to practice the breathing techniques and visualization. Well, just as I was visualizing my happy place - Isla Mujeres, our honeymoon island, strawberry daiquiri in hand - Matt starts practicing HIS labor breathing right in my ear. Of course, you're wondering why the husbands needed to practice labor breathing - the truth is that they DIDN'T, nor were they SUPPOSED TO. But Matt decided that it's not just me who's going to have all the fun. I gave him the stink eye and resumed my visualization, only to discover him reclining half-asleep on MY pillows when the lights came back on! Truth be told, I'm not upset that he was truly relaxing while I was doing my visualization - I just wish I'd have thought of it before he did!

This wasn't nearly as interesting as watching the natural birth video. The idea of the video was to show us how some women use breathing patterns and rhythm to get through labor without drugs. Now, I am all about trying to hold off as long as I can for pain medication, but I am by no means a tough cookie when it comes to pain. However, I know from previous bodily trauma that I am a QUIET sufferer, meaning I do not moan and groan even with several severe breaks to the pelvis and back. (Although I do complain, which is something completely different).

Anyways, the women on the video were moaning in specific rhythmic patterns. Moaning loudly. Moaning gutturally. You get the picture. In fact, if you had just walked by the conference room we were in, you would wonder what type of movie they were showing all of these pregnant women. So Matt and I were glancing over at one another a little uncomfortably, trying to determine if it was appropriate to giggle through a video of childbirth, when one of the women started to baa...yes, like a sheep.

Whatever gets you through the pain, right?

At the end of our day we took a tour through the maternity ward, which is really nice. Apparently they don't really have a nursery at this hospital because they encourage the babies to room-in with the mothers - something I was really hoping for.

Wednesday was my MFM Specialist Appointment, and here's what we found out:

1. GB is measuring right on track! She weighs about 2lbs and was measuring right at 27 weeks - YAY! Apparently the two-vessel cord has not caused any complications.

2. GB's right kidney is larger than her left. This could mean a problem, or it could correct itself as the pregnancy progresses. Either way, the doctor is not too terribly worried and will refer me to a special pediatrician after the birth to check it out again. He said this is VERY common with babies that have SUA and high AFP levels - not to worry.

3. My next appointment is August 12th - then I start going to the specialist for weekly (yes, WEEKLY) ultrasounds until D-day. As is turns out, starting August 1st I will not have a SINGLE week without a dr's appointment - some weeks I will have 2. Thank God for insurance!

4. They were able to get some of the CUTEST pictures of GB's little face! Matt and I have decided that she has my chin and nose. I'll get these posted when I can.


So everything is looking good! GB has learned a new trick in the past week - she has started rolling and flipping and PUSHING! Sometimes it feels like there is an alien in my belly as she STRETCHES her back and I can actually feel her round little head poking out of one side. It's really neat, but I have to admit that sometimes it takes my breath away! Matt was talking to her with his head on my belly last week and he got kicked in the cheek:)

What dreams may come...

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

In the past month, I've been having the strangest, most vivid dreams! I have read that this is not unusual as I get further along into pregnancy, but WOW! I've always been a pretty vivid dreamer, but this is something else altogether!



The latest snapshots into my subconscious mind:

1. I dreamed I was at one of those outdoor roller-skating parks. At the bottom of one of the roller-skating areas was a t-Rex - on skates - and for SOME reason I had to try to run past him and up the jump without getting eaten. Don't remember why. I woke up feeling anxious and sweaty.

2. I dreamed that Matt and I were penguins who were being used as slave labor to find a spring of water inside a mountain. We had ice picks and Matt wore a blue and green scarf. Apparently I was a penguin who could smell underground spring water and so I told Matt that there was no spring in our mountain and that we were just doing "busy-work". I woke up really thirsty.

3. I dreamed that I was starting the new school year and 2 of my rather difficult students from last year had decided they wanted to be in my class again. I explained that they could not, but as I was starting my first day's lecture, they pulled out a ukulele and began singing loudly. I was so angry, I called campus security to escort them out. I woke up drenched in sweat and feeling very irritable.

4. I dreamed GB needed to have her diaper changed, but as I was carrying her to the bathroom, she transformed into my dog Ginger and I couldn't figure out how to put a diaper on a Pomeranian butt.

5. I dreamed Matt was taking me out somewhere fancy in Atlanta for dinner. When we arrived, I realized it was McDonald's and I felt betrayed. I woke up really hungry.

6. I dreamed I was at a hospital and a doctor came into my room to tell me that under NO circumstances was I to breastfeed GB. In fact, he said it was the worst thing I could do. I argued with him for a while and pulled out all my research on nursing (yes, in my dream I had RESEARCH available! I was PREPARED!) and then when he still wouldn't listen, I opened up the hospital window and PICKED HIM UP and THREW him out and into the ocean. I woke up feeling oddly refreshed.


And now for the 25 Week update:

How far along? 25 weeks and 4 days!
Total weight gain/loss: ::Fingers in ears:: "La la la!"
Maternity Clothes: Mad at Walmart for not selling them and making me buy a mu mu (sp?)
Sleep: MUCH better since I am waiting at least 3 hours after a meal to hit the sack. Also, I started putting a pillow around my belly to support it and now I sleep so well! I want to get a snoogle (http://leachco.stores.yahoo.net/snoogle.html) but cannot justify the cost when we have sooo many pillows.
Best moment this week: So many! Mary June's Bridal showers were so much fun! We went to the Swan House in Atlanta for the Bridal Luncheon and the chicken salad was so good! Colton's 1st birthday party was a blast too - it was so cute to see him eating his birthday cupcake and playing with his presents. Altogether, my Saturday was busy and wonderful!
Movement: A little slower the last few days, but I think she's going through a growth spurt! Definitely can feel hiccups!
Food cravings: GIMME some CHOCOLATE!! Mountain Dew - anything with sugar!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: Nothing, although I had one scary moment when I thought my water was leaking. I had just sneezed.
Belly Button in or out? Still waiting on it to decide to pop out.
What I miss: How blissfully ignorant I was before I watched those home-made delivery videos on youtube. Seriously, don't do it!!! (Although the water-birth ones weren't actually that bad)
What I am looking forward to: Birthing class this Saturday from 9-5! Poor Matt does not know what he's in for!

V-day and Independence day!

First, a few photos...

Matt's firework launcher: Jeff and I singing along to MJ - "Billy Jean is not my looooverrrr...":

Our fireworks show!

Isn't this cool??

The 4th Annual Sandlin 4th of July Cookout was really great this year! We had a smaller crowd (about 10) due to family obligations and whatnot, but everyone had a great time eating and hanging out. Kat brought a fabulous bean dip and Kate and Cameron brought me my very own jug of chocolate milk. Cravings were satisfied all around!

Matt and I celebrated GB's V-day (viability day) last Thursday! It's just a little milestone that means if I were to go into labor now, the hospital is obligated to do everything it can to save GB - she would have about a 60-70% chance of survival at this point! Of course, we would never want her to come this early, but it gave us an excuse to go out to dinner and put up the crib:)

Today was my 24 week check-up with my regular Midwife. It was pretty uneventful - the usual things occurred: weight check, pee in a cup, blood pressure, listen for heartbeat. She also measured my belly with a tape measure. My next midwife appointment will be at 28 weeks, where I will take the gestational diabetes test and get my rhogam shot since I am RH-.

And now for the official update!


How far along? 24weeks and 4 days!

Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs gained (19 total, if I include the 6 I lost and made up due to morning sickness)

Maternity clothes? Showing off that bump!

Sleep: Not much due to TERRIBLE heartburn and acid reflux. :(

Best moment this week: Seeing the crib all set up in GB's room!

Movement: Lots! Lately she feels like she's turning somersaults. She also likes listening to Maroon 5.

Food cravings: Chocolate milk (still) and peanut butter with bananas. Chicken salad sandwhiches

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Some braxton hicks contractions early in the morning or when I've been standing too long.

Belly Button in or out? Hovering precariously in the in-between stage. Matt's new favorite past-time is watching it pop out when I sneeze, cough, or laugh.

What I miss: Fitting into my pre-pregnancy summer clothes

What I am looking forward to:Going to the pool again with Dena this week (wearing sunscreen this time...), Mary June's showers on Saturday, and Colton's 1st birthday party!

And dinner....