26 weeks along

23 weeks 

Surro sisters-we are (starting with me and moving to the right) 22, 21, 20 weeks along

My Christmas present from one of my best friends!  Love it!!

24 weeks

Still breech and lays on the right side and won't budge at all...

25 weeks

26 weeks

Baby P on 1/17/2014

This has been quite the past month with some ups and some downs.  I can't imagine not going through this experience but it is just SO different from my last pregnancy with my own child that it throws me for a loop.

I went to my surro brunch and had so much fun chatting with the girls from my Utah Surro Group, they are honestly some of my best friends!  I really enjoy seeing them and hearing how everything is going with them and with their journeys!

I had mentioned a while ago, probably before we even transferred that I wanted a shirt that something like "Stay Calm, It's Not Mine."  Well my friend is awesome and found a company that made one for me!  I was so excited about this and couldn't wait to wear it out.

I had my monthly OB appointment and baby boy is still very much in the breech position but at least doesn't have his bum in my pelvis.  We still have about 10 weeks before we will start trying to move him ourselves though.  For now, I will start doing some downward dog and possibly prenatal yoga to see if that helps him flip.  He has plenty of fluid in there to turn and move around but he is nice and cozy sitting on my bladder and laying in my rib cage.  I also got to drink the glucose drink today but won't find out the results to that for a few days.  Here is to hoping that turns out great and I won't need the 3 hour glucose test too.

The family has picked a name out for baby boy and I think it is super cute!  For all of you I will now start to refer to him as Baby P though.

After my OB appointment I had a perinatal appointment to check on the baby.  Due to their other son they just wanted to check and make sure everything looked good.  I was completely okay with that since it meant an extensive ultrasound of seeing the little pea moving around.  We were lucky and were able to get a 3D shot of his face and I have to say he looks pretty stinking cute!  The results were that he is perfect and as far as the perinatal doctor could see everything looks wonderful!  Sigh of relief for the family of this little guy.  With the extra ultrasound we had we were able to get measurements of everything and I am a little nervous for the delivery.  He is measuring about 2lbs, 2 oz.  His head is measuring a little large at about 28 weeks and 4-5 days along when I am only 25 weeks and 6 days.  The rest of his body is measuring on target at least but with him being breech it makes me nervous that a vaginal birth might not happen if he doesn't get turned around and is head down.  From what I've read with breech deliveries they want the stomach and head about the same diameter around or at least the stomach a bit bigger than the head.  Here is to hoping he flips soon!

Weight Gain: 29 lbs.  I apparently know how to pack on the weight when I get pregnant, but thankfully it has mostly gone to my belly and maybe to my behind.

Cravings: Water that is somewhat warm (I know kind of weird), salad, turkey, avocado, sweets (doesn't help with all the holiday treats we had going around)

Symptoms: Starting to waddle, braxton hicks, pelvic pressure, constantly having to pee, exhaustion again, some ligament pain, him constantly moving around which I don't mind at all, some swelling in my feet, heart burn if I don't take the prilosec every single day

What I miss: Not feeling so immobile, I want so badly to just lay on my stomach, Shaving without trying to be an acrobat, not feeling like my insides are going to fall out or my belly to fall over

Their baby's the size of a head of lettuce!

He's still growing in the 13.6- to 14.8-inch and 1.5- to 2.5-pound range, and developing his senses, features and talents!

Their baby at 26 weeks

• His eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.
• And his eyelashes are now grown, too.
• He's getting his immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
• He's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

Labor & Delivery Scare

BP while I am sitting down

BP while I am standing (this is still lower than my normal)

I had a little bit of a scare the other night and ended up going to the Labor & Delivery at the hospital to get some monitoring done.  While I was at work I was just feeling really weird and off, I had been the past few days.  On this particular day though I would stand up and get light headed or dizzy, at one point I was even seeing spots.  I honestly had that feeling as though I was going to fall over and pass out.  The sensation would only last a very short time and then I would be fine and it was like it never happened.  Almost every time I would stand though I would get kind of dizzy.

I probably wouldn't have been such a worry wart about this except that I had taken a fall the day prior.  With the fall I landed on my knees really hard and the baby started moving shortly after so I knew he was okay.  Once I started seeing the spots and feeling dizzy I didn't want to chance something actually being wrong with him or with me.  I called the doctor on call from my OB office and he said I could always wait to go into the office the following day to get blood drawn or could go to Labor & Delivery.  I opted to head over to the hospital that night just to have peace of mind.  I didn't want to wait for results or worry about what possibly could be going on.

My best friend picked up my daughter and met me at the hospital and on the way over I had a billion things running through my mind of what could possibly be going on.  With my first pregnancy I had no issues or complications so this was all new to me and honestly not something I had really experienced before.

I got to the hospital and since I was 25 weeks along they started the pre-registration process for me since I have never been to this hospital before.  I answered some questions and then was sent to a monitoring room to see if I needed to be admitted or not.  I peed in a cup so they could check my urine and make sure that everything was good to go.  Once that was done they strapped on some monitors to check the babies heart rate and monitor him.  He of course was moving around like crazy as soon as the monitors were put on so it was difficult to get a good reading on him.  What little they did get the nurse said he sounded great!

When she took my blood pressure it was rather low compared to what my normal is, which is still on the lower end anyways.  My urine came back with a little trace of blood and so there could be a tiny possibility that I might have an infection but I didn't really have any signs for one.  I have had plenty to know what they are and just didn't feel like that was what this was.  My CBC came back great with no issues as well.  They said that I could possibly be getting dizzy from my blood pressure being low and then it dipping lower when I stand up.  I have noticed that it usually happens when I stand and probably is caused from that.  I will be seeing my OB next week so I can mention it to her and see what she says.

I am so grateful that there weren't any issues or complications and that it is possibly just my blood pressure being too low.  Baby looked great and overall I am doing great!  Need this little pea to hang out in there for a bit longer.

IT'S A....

I went to work the morning of the ultrasound and as always picked up my daughter so we could all see the baby.  I truly feel that the more involved I let her be the more she will adjust and be okay with the end result, us not bringing a baby home.

Mrs. California flew in the morning of the ultrasound and thankfully the weather permitted and she made it alive and safely.  The day prior to her flying in they had literally shut down the airport for ice and snow on the runways.  It was beautiful the day she came in though!

We went straight down to the ultrasound and we were able to see this little pea.  He was moving like crazy and was making it difficult for the tech to get good readings on everything but she managed to get everything we needed.  When we first got to the ultrasound they were thinking it was just the gender reveal when it was actually the BIG anatomy scan.  Thankfully the tech just did the anatomy scan as well which also meant that Mrs. C was able to get a CD of the entire scan!

The tech took her time looking at everything and made sure to get lots of pictures of everything for the family and one or two for me!

So the big reveal of this little pea is that it is most DEFINITELY...

A BOY!!!!!

I wasn't sure if Mrs. California would find out what he was since she was going back and forth of whether they would find out or not.  I am so glad that she decided to find out because I was so worried that I would slip on what it was.

As soon as the tech put the wand on my belly you could instantly see his parts.  This baby is not shy at all and made it very clear and without a doubt that he was in fact a he!  They would have been fine with whatever God intended this baby to be but I could tell they were very excited that it was a boy!!

18 weeks or 122 days left

20 weeks along!!  Halfway baby!

21 weeks and 1 day

With Jen and we are a week and a half apart.  12/10/2013

12/12/2013

22 weeks along

Christmas Eve, 22 weeks and a few days

I'm big enough that things can officially rest on the belly.

On our way to the big ultrasound appointment with Mrs. California!!

I am probably only going to be updating every month or so from now on.  Life has been so crazy and hectic with the holidays that I was wanting to update but just didn't have time or didn't make the time.  I will be 23 weeks this Saturday and am doing really great besides the usual aches and pains that come with pregnancy.  We had our BIG ultrasound on the 20th and Mrs. California flew out to see her cute little pea!  I have started to take Prilosec OTC and that has seriously helped with the acid reflux/heart burn that I was having.  I can't believe I even waited as long as I did because it has helped so much.  This little pea moves around like crazy and like I was thinking is breech right now which makes more sense to why I'm getting kicks in the crotch a ton.

As much as this pregnancy as been so different then what I experienced with my daughter the fact that it is getting closer to the end makes me sad just the same.  I have really enjoyed helping this sweet family and know how loved this little pea is already.  He is one special and very loved little one!

Weight Gain: I have gained a whopping 22 pounds so far.  I gained so much with my daughter and I see that happening this time around too.

Cravings: Mexican food and anything with a kick or spice to it.  So not like me at all to like spicy foods.  ha  I had a to die for smothered burrito that was just amazing and just what this little pea was wanting!!

Symptoms: Some heart burn episodes, LOTS of pelvic pressure, back pain, sciatic episodes which are mostly when it is too cold, baby is kicking and moving like crazy and on a somewhat schedule too (It is always around the same time that it is having a dance party), braxton hicks all day long

What I miss: Sleeping comfortably, being able to paint my toes and shaving normally, my pants not ripping up the seam....

Their baby's the size of a papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Their baby at 22 weeks!

• Now that he's got more developed eyes and lips, he's looking even more like a newborn.
• He's sleeping in cycles -- about 12 to 14 hours per day.

AFP

It is normal for most OB offices to do a routine test called an Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) which checks for certain markers in the baby.  I had mine a few weeks ago and was able to get the results within the following week.

Alpha-fetoprotein Screening (AFP) -- A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Since AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects

The test was actually really simple and non-invasive, it is a simple blood draw and that is it.  With this test they ask you quite a few questions to best determine what the blood says for results.  Since this is not my baby we just used the age and other information with the Intended Parents and a few questions about me.  They ask how old the egg donor was and that would be the age that my Intended Mother was when they retrieved her eggs.  They ask if there is any history of family genetic anomalies to get a history and go from there.

Results came back all negative for everything!!  This was great news and as for the blood work it proves that the baby is healthy and without any genetic anomalies.  We have our big ultrasound in a few weeks and the parents will decide from there if they want any further testing.

I do have to add that being a phlebotomist I have gotten a few calls from main lab saying such and such patient came back with a positive.  With this particular test if it comes back positive it does NOT mean that your unborn child does indeed have whatever came back positive.  It gives you a number such as 1 in 204 chance of having this, that is not a yes your baby has this anomaly.  If this had come back positive I am certain that my Intended Parents would have requested for me to have an amniocentesis which is a little more invasive and in my eye's can be risky (that is my opinion though).  That is a bit more accurate then the simple blood draw.

18 weeks along-5 months along

I will have to post a picture when I have one.  I've been taking care of my daughter after her surgery so there hasn't been much getting ready around here.  There has been lots of pj wearing and moving watching though.

I can't believe that we are probably half way done with this journey and 18 weeks is the beginning of 5 months.  I delivered my daughter a week early so it very well could happen the same.  I am content going as long as possible though since I don't want to be induced.  I am cherishing ever second being pregnant since it is going by so quickly.

I have been having really bad case of heart burn and tums aren't really covering it anymore.  It is actually getting a little ridiculous.  I am avoiding a lot of foods that I know will trigger it and will make it worse.  It stinks because some of the foods I've been avoiding are the foods that I am craving. :(  Something I'll be bringing up to the doctor this Tuesday.

I only worked a month or so when I was pregnant with my daughter so this has been different this go around.  It didn't matter that I had insomnia and wouldn't be able to fall asleep since I didn't have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for work the next morning.  That has been a new adventure but it is going okay.  By the middle of the day if it is super slow I am dog tired and have even caught myself falling asleep at my desk.  Forget about coming home and wanting to cook dinner or get myself or the little one ready for bed at all.  Hopefully with this second trimester the energy level will start to pick up.

I have also been having some pain from my PIO injection site lately.  Just on the right hip area too.  I don't know if the feeling is trying to come back or what but it hurts so bad some days.  I thought the pain would stop after being done with shots but it has decided to continue on.  I am hoping it is just the feeling coming back completely since it is still a bit numb on that side.  It sure is painful though.

I just got to see my ex mother in law while she was passing through and I wish I knew what she was thinking.  She kept staring at my belly but wouldn't say a word to me.  I'm sure my ex has told some crazy story about why I am pregnant.  I will never know though because she will probably never bring it up.  I would much rather enlighten her and anyone about this amazing experience then them be confused or told something not completely true.

Weight Gain: I'll let ya know after my appointment on Tuesday since I don't have anything at my house to weigh myself.

Cravings: Sprite with vanilla extract still, sweet potatoes, I really would love anything Mexican or all you can eat at Tucanos!  YUM!  So basically meat is still a huge craving of mine.  Also, pineapple, cold cereal, ice cream, smothered delicious burritos, and ice cold water.  I will say I have had quite a few salads that were absolutely amazing!

Symptoms: Heart burn, Braxton hicks, some insomnia (my least favorite when I have work super early), tossing and turning at night (my whale pillow is a must now), some leaking of colostrum I believe (yes so fun! ha) with that comes extremely tender boobs, and clothes do NOT fit anymore so I have resorted to maternity pants now.  I have been feeling the baby move quite a bit this past week.  I swear if someone were to put their hand on my belly and concentrated they might be able to feel it too.  My daughter has tried to feel but she is too impatient to wait for it.  I think in a couple of weeks other people will be able to feel it moving around in there.

Their baby's the size of a sweet potato!

He's/She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and he/she keeps on growing rapidly. (That's why I'm probably feeling so hungry.)

Their baby at 18 weeks

• Can you believe he's/she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?
• And he's/she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and he's/she's big enough now that I'm able to feel him/her doing it!

Surro Sisters Luncheon

Four out of the six of us are pregnant and one will be pregnant shortly.

We are about a week and a half apart.  You can't really tell but I am further along then Jen is.

With all the craziness that has been going on it was a much needed girl time with these lovely ladies.  We try and get together once a month.  I am not always able to make it but I needed this time for me.  These are the only women who truly get the feelings I have and know what I am going through.  I can say something and they don't look at me like I am crazy because they have felt the same way or similar.  They have been my complete support aside from my best friend and I am so grateful for them!  These are girls who aren't just a monthly visit but we spend time together and are truly friends and are there for each other.  I love them to pieces and so glad to have them apart of my life and this journey!

15 weeks along

15 weeks along

This is what happens when you have friends that own their Doppler, you get to hear the heart beat when you want to.  My sweet surro friend is letting me borrow her Doppler until she is pregnant and I can't thank her enough!

I know I've said it before but not feeling the baby moving consistently at this point it can put a lot of worry in your mind.  It is a lot of pressure to do this and make sure that nothing goes wrong at all.  With my daughter I just didn't worry because I knew it would be okay.  With this pregnancy I still feel it will be okay but it isn't mine so there is extra pressure for it to go just right.  This has been reassuring to just stick it on my belly and hear that sweet thumping beat!  The baby doesn't like the Doppler put on because it will move around and sometimes will kick it away.  It is so sweet though.

14 weeks and 5 days

The wonderful thing about working in your doctor's office is you get free ultrasounds every once in a while.  This baby was moving around and was just being so cute!!  It is a constant worry about how the baby is doing until you actually start feeling it move and so this was amazing to see.  It still feels like I'm out of body and I honestly have to remind myself that there is a little person inside of me.  It is truly a miracle and can't wait for mom and dad to hold this little pea!