27 Weeks & 2 Days: Bed Rest Day 51

This week has been pretty normal, 2 doctor's appointments, and I've gotten back into crocheting big time :) Also something else pretty special... I started getting my first kicks in the ribs a few days ago!! Anya is SO active, much more than Emoree ever was. Sometimes feeling my belly I can feel Anya pushing out a body part... usually a foot or her butt and its so cool because I can feel the edges of her foot through my skin <3

I had my regular weekly cervix check on Wednesday morning, and Anya looks stable and good, but just as stubborn as ever because she will NOT turn her face around for a picture!!! Still head down and facing back. The amniotic fluid was measuring at 16cm, which is good! My cervix length is measuring at 1.8cm-2.1cm, short but stable, and still closed. Apparantly the perinatalogist (who I do not see regularly) leaves notes for the techs to ask me... at least this is what the tech told me on Wednesday because she said she had to ask to make sure I was still "behaving" on bed rest, because Dr. Harmon wanted to know. I'm being good! Ecspecially now that I'm back to crocheting, all I do is sit on my butt!

Thursday morning I had a renal ultrasound. Not pregnancy related, but my new OB is very thorough and since I have a unicornuate uterus, she wanted me to have a renal ultrasound because its all connected and comes from the same place during development. The tech scanned and measured my right kidney fast and easy... she spent a lot longer on the left side. It turns out, no left kidney for me! It didn't suprise me much. She said a normal kidney in an adult female is about 10cm, and my right is measuring 12cm most likely to overcompensate for the lack of a left. Good thing a person can live normally with only one kidney :-P



I've been testing my blood sugar 4x a day for just over a week now, and I didn't think I'd get used to the finger prick as quickly as I did. I used to freak out about my fingertips bleeding, but the finger prick isn't too big of a deal. My morning fasting # is usually in the normal-high range... 88-101. After breakfast is always high... 130-150. Lunch and dinner is give or take.. it varies from 110-150. I may or may not have gestational diabetes.. I'm supposed to take my chart of my #s I've been keeping to my OB on Monday.

Now for the fun stuff!!! I finally found a pattern for booties that I like, so here is Anya's first pair of baby booties, of course with a matching headband. Headbands are so easy to make sure will probably have one for every outfit.

This is my biggest project, EVER. I started it over a year ago well before I had even planned to conceive Anya. Last week, I pulled it out of the closet and started crocheting like crazy... literally hours at a time. It was less than half done when I started back on it... but I added 10+ rows each day to get it finished because I was determined to have it done before I started other projects!! It measures 42"x36", so it is a decent size baby blanket too.

I love this!!! I've never crocheted clothing before, and when I saw this pattern I decided I had to make it. For the price of the yarn, I made this whole set for under $6. It is a 0-3 months size dress and diaper cover, with a 14" crochet flower headband. I'm excited to eventually take pictures of Anya wearing it :) I made this whole set in less than 2 days.

First bare belly shot :-) 27 Weeks!!!! I took these yesterday. You can see how tan I am getting sitting out in the sun on nice days... with my arm next to my white belly lol. Anya is growing!!!

27 Weeks: 194.2lbs (+5.6 lbs!)











22 Weeks: Bed Rest Day 14

22 weeks pregnant today, and week 2 of bed rest. I hope I can make it another 15-16 weeks! I woke up to Anya kicking like crazy this morning, and that was pretty awesome. She never stops moving!

I had my glucose test on Monday, and just found out a few minutes ago that I failed the 1 hour test :( I have to call back to schedule the 3 hour test, which I will probably fail as well. I probably do have gestational diabetes, it would add just another "exciting, terrifiying" twist to this pregnancy! Monday was also my last visit with my old OB, so he copied my chart and gave the copies to me to take to my new OB next month.



This morning I had an appointment with fetal cardiology at UMMS, and a cervix length check. The ultrasound of Anya went well, her heart hasn't changed any. She "waved" hi (first pic), and was covering her face in the second :) She weighs about 1 lb now! Her heart rate was a good 151bpm. The tech said my amniotic fluid looked good, and Anya is still hanging out head down, like she has been for the last two weeks. After the measurement scan, they did my cervix length scan. I could tell right away, and I could tell the tech looked worried. Last week she said my measurement was 2.3cm, she looked up my scans to verify. Today, I measured at a scary 1.7cm. She asked me if I had been feeling pressure, and I said yes I did for a short amount of time yesterday. The next thing she said was even scarier... She said they were probably going to send me upstairs to L&D to monitor me for preterm labor. She left the room for what felt like forever, then came back and led me down the hall. They put me on a contraction monitor in office for 20 minutes, and in that time I did have one small contraction. The lady monitoring me wasn't concerned about that, ecspecially since I barely felt it. I thought it was just Anya rolling around and pressing on my skin, because it only felt a tiny bit tight. After being monitored, I waited an hour to see the fetal cardiologist. She did a quick heart scan, then told me to come back in two days for another cervix check, that we could not wait a whole week.

While I was there, they also set up my weekly cervix length appointments for the next six weeks, later in May I also see the pediatric cardiologist again, possibly the surgeon again, and I get to tour the NICU in a few weeks too! I have at least 12 appointments at UMMS in the next 7 weeks.

They also got a good "girl parts" shot for me today too :)

So what am I doing while on bed rest? Mostly, sitting in the recliner or laying in bed. I do get up frequently to pee, because it feels like my bladder puts pressure on my cervix if there is anything in it. I have been crocheting a lot. I've made a few things for friends (not pictured, since they haven't seen them yet, and some do read this blog!) and I am working on baby hats to donate to the NICU. I have made a few things for Anya too <3 I am not "cheating" and driving at all anymore, I am instead working out other arrangements for Emoree to be picked up from school.

We had to cancel our Ocean City trip completely :( I can't be in the car that long, or be that far away from home/hospital for an extended amount of time. Taking Emoree to the zoo for her birthday is still pending, I will rent a wheelchair at the zoo. I can't believe my baby will be 4 years old in 3 weeks! She is very much looking forward to her birthday party, she talks about it everyday. I have help to make it happen, since I can't set it up myself! I get to sit and tell people what to do, and I must say I am pretty good at that :)

I have been crocheting a lot lately :) Above is all of my yarn for baby projects!! All of it is baby yarn or simply soft (my favorite!) yarn. And below are a few of my completed projects:

This is my first loom knit blanket, it is small (about 25"x 25") and matching hat. The blanket I made with the idea of it being a good NICU isolette blanket, or car seat blanket. I also made Emoree a matching one too in a child size (not pictured).

This is my first loom knit hat <3

I made this one two weeks ago with scrap yarn I had left over.

I made this one yesterday... I actually made two (the other one is going to a special heart mom I know). I love this one!!! I saw a similar one on etsy and had to recreate it myself.

Three hats I've crocheted so far to donate to the NICU.

Last one, this is my work in progress. This is while it is still on the knit loom, it is going to be a baby hat for NICU donation, a little more than half way complete.

I might post a quick update on Friday after my cervix check!!



16 Weeks & 1 Day

Did you miss me last week? I've been posting every week, but skipped last week :) Anyway, 20 days until my gender/anatomy scan!!! Very excited!! 5 days until my next OB appointment, and 6 days until my first cervix measurement at the Perinatal Center. So much to look forward to!! The best part: I felt baby move for the first time last night <3 I was laying down, and first I felt a small jab, then a few minutes later I felt a few flutters. So exciting!! I felt Emoree for the first time at 15w5d, so this one was only 2 days later. Also because I remember dates and all like this and can be slightly superstitious about some things.... when I was 16w1d pregnant with Emoree I was in a car accident on my way home from work, I was taken to the hospital but obviously all was okay. So guess who isn't driving today? ME! Well, I did have to go out this morning, but home now with no plans of going anywhere else. Besides Emoree woke up with a bad cold and doesn't feel well.

This is why I had to go out this morning, to get my first weekly p17 (progesterone) shot. I wish I could do them myself, and may ask the doctor next week if I can give them to myself in my thigh rather than having a nurse at my mom's work give them to me in the buttox. This is a 10 week supply, it cost $146. I will need another 10 week supply too, with the hopes of making it to 36 weeks! The shot didn't hurt anymore than a normal intramuscular shot, no big deal! So far no side effects, I felt a little lightheaded and slightly nauseated right afterwards, but figured out that was because I hadn't eaten in 2-3hrs.

Just wanted to say, this is what I am enjoying while I type this today. My favorite: A Keylime Blendini with Vanilla custard and Nilla Wafers. It tastes just like a keylime pie!!!!

I had a pregnancy massage last week!!! It was FANTASTIC! I wish I could afford to go every 2-4 weeks, I would do it. My shoulder hurts minimally now, not all the time. The one thing bothering me now is sciatic nerve pain, and that isn't something likely to go away :o(

This is the diaper I ordered last month, and I had been waiting for it to come in!!!! I love it!! It is so soft :) I cannot wait to make a big cloth diaper purchase from alvababy.com after I find out the gender!!

I also bought baby's memory book in the last two weeks!! It is the same one that Emoree has, I LOVE it! Baby's is the new one on the left, and Emoree's is the covered one on the right. After I find out the gender of this one, I will make a padded cover for that book too! I also bought Emoree a new book (not pictured). She has mentioned "daddy" once or twice now, So I bought her two books that are geared for kids her age called "Why Don't I Have a Daddy?: A Story of Donor Conception" by George Anne Clay, and "The Family Book" by Todd Parr. They both basically teach kids that there are all different kinds of families.

Belly pic!!! Baby is growing! I still haven't gained any weight though... :o) And I have a confession... I love maternity clothes!

16 Weeks: 188.0 lbs (-0.6 lbs)

14 Weeks: Second Trimester!!

Yay for the second trimester, starting today! The second trimester is my favorite part of being pregnant. I can now officially have a pregnancy massage, which I may schedule for next week. I can find out the baby's gender in a few weeks too!

I had my consult appointment at the perinatal center yesterday. First thing was my ultrasound, I got to see my little bean moving around!! Baby was measuring at 13 weeks & 1 day, so only 5 days behind, which is in normal range. The heart rate was 163bpm, which is good!! My mom came with me to watch Emoree, and as soon as they put the ultrasound jelly on me Emoree freaked out and my mom had to take her out of the room :( After the ultrasound I talked with the doctor, and went over my whole medical and pregnancy history. I guess she was suprised at my medical knowledge, because she asked me if I was a nurse! After going through all the fertility treatment, I guess I know more than most! The doctor decided that the p17 shots (weekly progesterone shots to prevent pre-term labor) would be a benefit for me. I start those in two weeks, and I need to call my insurance company and the pharmacy to set that up and order them. I will take them every week until I deliver, or 36 weeks. I will also be going to the perinatal center every 2 weeks or so to check my cervix length, to make sure it isn't shortening prematurely (which could cause early labor). My first cervix check is at 17 weeks, April 4th. And the best part is, my anatomy/gender ultrasound is scheduled!!!! I will be 19 weeks, it is at 10AM in April 18th. YAY!!!

These are all of my baby purchases for the first trimester, minus one diaper that I haven't gotten in the mail yet. I think I behaved!! Considering, I got all of the items either on clearance or really really cheap. After April 18th though, and I find out this baby's gender... I don't know if I will be able to contain myself...

This is what the nursery looks like as of today. Since Emoree's room got a make over, a lot of furniture got shoved in here. The rocking chair will stay, and so will the white cabinets (minus the overhead ones, taking those down so I can use the countertop as a changing table). the table and chairs with stuff piled on them will be taken out. The bassinet will go next to my bed. This room needs paint and carpet too... A lot of work to be done!

This is Emoree's room partial makeover! She has slept in her own bed for one week straight, so yesterday her Poppy and I put together hew brand new big girl bed!!! It took 5 hours to do... She also got a new, taller wardrobe to hang up more of her clothes, and most of her floor is now covered in a fuzzy purple rug :) I am still looking to get a new border to cover up her baby one, and I will also eventually make her a new curtain. She LOVES it, and is VERY excited!! I spent over $500 on new stuff for her room so far... good thing for tax refunds :) She needed it though, and it is good timing since I will be starting to put together the nursery in about 2 months.

I am starting to feel pregnant now, and I love it :) I *think* I am starting to feel little flutters every now and then from the baby moving, but I am not sure yet. It is still a bit early!

14 Weeks: 189.2lbs (+0.6 lbs!)

13 Weeks

One more week left of the first trimester, yay!! I had my 2nd OB appointment yesterday. I got to "officially" hear the heartbeat for the first time! OB appointment went well. Emoree stayed home with her Grandaddy, because I didn't want her to freak out about the doppler. My mom went with me, because she had her own questions for my OB. She wanted to know about the possibility of bedrest and being out of work, and my OB said it's a good possibility depending on how baby and I are doing particularly towards the end of the second trimester. I asked about what I can do or take for my upper back pain, and the answer wasn't too promising. There isn't anything I can take, and tylenol doesnt cut it. My OB did say I could use a heating pad though, and if it continues I could be looking at physical therapy. Hopefully in a week or so I can get a pregnancy massage, and hopefully that will help!

I also asked about the possibility of progesterone shots and if he felt they would benefit me, and that led to a referal to a perinatalologist. Progesterone shots can help prevent preterm labor for women with a short cervix. That isn't necessarily the case for me, but the Perinatal center will evaluate the benefits for me. This is where I am "officially" classified as high-risk, no big shock there I knew that all along. The Perinatal center will also do the anatomy ultrasound at 18 weeks, HOPEFULLY revealing the gender!!! Five more weeks!! Perinatalologist consult appointment is Tuesday, March 13th @ 1PM. When I called to schedule my consult appoint, the girl taking my information asked me what I was indicated high risk for... when I said "unicornate uterus", I don't think she knew what that was, she made me repeat it! It is very rare and there is very little information on it, trust me I have read EVERYTHING I can find! Oh and with going to a perinatalogist, I might even get more ultrasounds out of this too!

I took Emoree to IKEA last night looking at big girl beds! She is very excited. I am not ashamed to say that we co-sleep, but I think now is a good time to try to get her into her own bed, and redecorating her room somewhat before I start putting together the nursery. Also, I need her crib/toddler bed mattress for the crib for the baby, so it is time to move her to a twin bed anyway! Last night was her first night falling asleep in her own bed, and she did very well. We talked all day about not sleeping in Mommy's bed anymore, and she happily repeated "no more Mommy's bed" all day. We looked at bedding sets at Target, and picked out a bed at IKEA. Last night she layed down in her bed, no tears, but it did take her an hour to fall asleep. I tried staying in the next room, and she got up once so I came in her room and sat in the chair next to her bed until she fell asleep. Around 1:15am she woke up and tried to climb in my bed, and I walked her back to her bed and she was alseep within 5 minutes no problem. She came back to my bed at 4:30am, and I didn't want to get up to take her back to her room so I let her stay... but I will call it a sucessful first night! We haven't bought anything yet for her new bed, I might take her to Target tomorrow to buy the new bedding set. We are going back to IKEA next week to buy the bed.

No belly shot today. I might add one to the blog tomorrow if I have time to take one. I also havent picked up a crochet hook all week either, been busy!!

13 Weeks: 187.4lbs (-1.2 lbs)





12 Weeks & 1 Day



Tweleve weeks! Time is going fast. My next OB appointment is in 5 days, on March 6th. I am excited about that, because that is the first time my OB will use the doppler :) Not that I haven't used one already... considering I bought my own on eBay for $51.88 and have used it twice already this week! It calculates the baby's heart rate too, which if it is accurate is about 120-130. An old wives tale says that if baby's heart rate is above 140 it is a girl, below 140 is a boy. I don't know how much faith I would put into that method, so we still have a few weeks to wait and see!!

I had chicken for the first time in 6 weeks last night, I decided to get a chicken taco at El Saltos while I was out with my friends, because I couldn't decide on a veggie dish I wanted, and I LOVE their chicken soft tacos. It didn't make me sick, yay!!! I haven't really been nauseated at all, as long as I eat every 2-3 hours. Yay!!! My complaints are my upper back/shoulders  is so sore, and has been for weeks. I blame it on work, haha. I'm going to ask my OB if there is anything I can do/take, since tylenol doesn't help. I get a few uncomfortable twinges in my lower right belly (basically where baby/uterus is) when I stand or walk for a long time, and I am pretty sure it is just my uterus and previous scar tissue stretching. It may be more uncomfortable for me because I have a vertical scar on my uterus from my previous c-section.

I like to shop, I can't help it. These are my purchases in the last few weeks... I've bought 4 one size cloth pocket diapers (the last one hasn't been shipped to me yet). The yellow and blue I bought on eBay, the blue for $4.00 and the yellow for $3.45. They are Babyland brand. The green one I bought for $4.59 from Alvababy.com, which I will definitely be ordering from again, I plan on making a big order when I know if baby is a boy or girl! They are decent quality. I cloth diapered Emoree too, from birth until about 2-2.5 yrs old. I don't mind the laundry, and not having to buy diapers every week is a big plus. With Emoree, I used prefolds with covers until she was about a year old until I learned how to make my own pocket diapers! I've decided I didn't want to make them this time around, that I wanted to invest in one size diapers, and I like the price, considering "brand name" ones run $20-$30. I will use disposables for this baby until baby is 8-9lbs, then switch to cloth.

This is what I have crocheted this week, two hats that I plan on donating to the NICU. I also made a gift for a friend (not pictured). I actually haven't crocheted in a few days...

Today I took Emoree to Bounce Party N Play and she had tons of fun bouncing around. She made a friend and it was so cute they would run from one bouncy obstacle to the next holding hands. After open bounce I took her to the mall, she had her hair cut (bangs trimmed and 2" off of her hair), and we had lunch and went shopping. I was good, I didn't buy anything for baby, but I did look. I did buy Emoree a few things, including her cute hair clip from Gymboree on clearance!

HaHa, I don't feel like I look that "round". I guess I just picture well?

12 Weeks: 186.4lbs (-2.2 lbs)









11 Weeks

11 Weeks today!! Time is going quickly. Over the past two weeks, I had two days I felt awful with nausea, but now it has been a few days since and I am hungry ALL THE TIME! I'm not choosing the best snacks, considering starbursts, skittles, and ice cream sandwiches keep calling my name. I went to the grocery store to get chocolate syrup the other day and walked out with $10 of candy. On the other hand, I like that I can eat what I want and not worry about gaining weight.. since I haven't gained any :o) Anway, all I have to show this week are crochet projects, and I have kept myself busy!

This is the 3-6 month size Santa hat I was working on last week, I finished it the next day. The red yarn is soft, and the white yarn is VERY soft and VERY fuzzy. I love it!

I think this is the item I am most proud of so far. This took me only 2 hours and $6 to make!! It is a photography prop ONLY. It is called a hanging stork nest. The yarn is very chunky and durable, yet still soft. I am even considering making these to order and sell, because this worked up so nicely and headache free!

This adorable hat I am in love with! I made this in an hour or less one night this week. Pompoms are a hassle to make, but often necessary for hats like this :o) It is a small newborn size, but stretches considerably. I would estimate it to fit a 4lb-8lb baby. This hat inspires me to make many, many more to donate to the NICU. I love it!

I did a mini 11 week maternity photo shoot outside, since it was nice out... and Emoree decided to join in too!

11 Weeks: 187.2lbs (-1.4lbs)

10 Weeks & 1 Day

So I've made it to double digits, yay :o) The past week has been a little hard for me, and I guess I am "lucky" because I don't have any bad pregnancy symptoms, but I just want to feel something!! I feel like I was much more excited at this point when I was pregnant with Emoree. Crocheting makes me feel better, since I am crocheting for baby, I guess it helps make this whole pregnancy thing feel more "real" for me right now.

I am also a little nervous about this week. When I was in my 10th week when I was pregnant with Emoree I started having moderate bleeding, that lasted for weeks. It started while I was working and I rushed to the hopsital, thankfully Emoree & I were okay, but it was still traumatic. I couldn't work for 2-3 weeks. So now that I am in my 10th week I'm a little scared, but it could happen anytime, or not at all, right?

I don't really have too much to say this week, my next OB appointment is not until March at about 13 weeks. I am thinking about paying for a gender scan at a 3D/4D ultrasound place at 16 weeks, rather than waiting for my 18/20 week anatomy scan, I feel like that will help make this more "real" for me, but it is still 6 weeks away. Not that I am rushing this pregnancy, it is my last, and I just want to enjoy it!

I made this newborn cocoon/egg bowl a few days ago, it was my first project this week. I got it finished in 2 sittings, approximately 3 hours total. The "model" is an 18" doll of Emoree's that I use for sizing items for small newborns. Considering Emoree was born at 17", I really don't expect baby #2 to be more than 19". This project is a photography prop ONLY. It is not for everyday use by any means. These things sell for $20-$40 on etsy.com!! I made it for free with spare yarn I had leftover.

A friend of mine suggested that I make one of these fringe "blanket" photography props this week, and I am thankful for the idea!! Again, this is a prop only and not for everyday use. It took about 2-3 hours to make, I did it in two days. I bought the yarn at Walmart for a total of $10, and these props sell on etsy.com for $50-$80. I also have some left over yarn to make it fuller if I choose to do so. I also might cut 4" or so off of the ends, I haven't decided yet. I wanted a dull/darker rainbow color ideal, and I am happy with how it turned out :o) Hey photographer friends, after my baby outgrows these props... I might considering selling them next year after I am done with them!!! :o) :o)

I am also currently working on crocheting a 0-6 months Santa hat. I've made 3 of these before, I am about halfway done and an hour into it. I have a made a toddler size for Emoree, an infant one for a friend's baby, and the first one I made I was just testing the pattern and stuck it on one of Emoree's dolls. Most likely, I will have it finished and ready for next week's update. Next up is another photography prop, a hanging stork pouch. I bought a soft creamy white yarn that is really bulky and durable for $6 for two skeins!

10 Week (& 1 day) belly pic. Not entirely happy with how it turned out with the black shirt, but oh well. Different shirt next week. I don't see any difference from last week, though I did lose another half pound. My metabolism works best while pregnant, lol.

10 Weeks: 187.6 (-1. lb)

8 Weeks & 6 Days

I'm a little confused as to the exactly "what day" I am at, and with my OCD that bothers me a little, but my OB today confirmed my 40 week due date as September 12, 2012, but he said I am 9 weeks today? I updated all of my pregnancy tickers and they say for 9/12/12, I am 8 Weeks & 6 days today, so that is what I am going to stick with. It is still a day further than I thought!!

Yay for a 3rd ultrasound!!! Those who are ultrasound illiterate: The white blob in the center of the darker blob is the baby, the dark area is the amniotic sac. The top is the baby's head, sticking out to the left is an arm, the bottom is legs and feet, and I am pretty sure the placenta is the area on the bottom right area of the amniotic sac. My OB says baby is growing appropriately. I had a physical exam, and luckily the only blood draw I needed today was thyroid screening, since the fertility center had already done all of the infectious disease bloodwork. I go back in 4 weeks, on March 6th and at that point I will be able to finally hear the heartbeat!! Today I saw the heart beating on the sonogram monitor. Emoree told my OB that she wants a baby sister :o) We were at the office for nearly an hour and a half... Emoree was really good the whole time!

Sometime in the last week or so, I think my belly swelled and I am *just* starting to look preggo, or maybe just fat haha. Either way, my jeans/pants are no longer comfortable and I pulled the box of maternity clothes out of the attic. I thought I had 2 pairs of maternity jeans, but I could only find one pair of jeans, and a few other pairs of pants. I don't remember half the clothes that are in there! Some still have tags on them. It is fun to have *new* clothes...

No crochet pics to show this week, I am halfway through making a newborn photography prop, and I also made a cute little hat for a friend's baby this week.

Of course, Emoree wanted to say "hi"! She decided to color her nose today with marker, she wanted to be Minnie Mouse since she is wearing her Minnie shirt.

9 Weeks: 188.2 (-.4lbs) gained a pound this week..