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!)











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)









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..







8 Weeks



Today I am 8 weeks pregnant! Tomorrow will be one month since I first found out I am pregnant. I had my second ultrasound at the fertility clinic yesterday! Baby measured at 7 weeks & 5 days, which is only a day behind gestation so basically right on track. I was also "released" from the fertility center!!! Very excited :) They gave me copies of some of my blood tests and etc. to take to my OB. My first appointment with my OB is in 5 days, on Tuesday February 7th @ 1:15PM.

They actually printed 3 pictures for me yesterday, only because they had a sonographer tech at the office who was teaching the doctor 3D scans! The top picture of the 3D image, it is a little unclear but you can see one of the bright spots is the heartbeat, which I got to see on the monitor yesterday!!! The middle picture you can't see much, and the bottom is the same as the first I posted. Another interesting point: the cover sheet they gave me to give to my OB had my due date as 9/12/12, which is a day sooner than I originally thought!! So I guess technically today is 8 weeks & 1 day ?? I will update that next week :) Ooh the fertility nurse also told me yesterday I can stop taking the Prometrium now!!! WOOHOO!!!! I only have 4 days of capsules left, so they told me I could finish the bottle then I am done with it.



Here is my crochet project this week! I actually made this start to finish in about 1-2 hours. It does help I have made two of them before, one for a friend's baby two years ago and another toddler sized for Emoree. This one is about 0-3 months size, and I figure Baby #2 will be about 2 months old around Halloween. Next I am either going to make a 0-6 month size Santa hat, or a newborn photo prop :)

Today I took Emoree to Bounce Party N Play, a local bouncy house/inflatable slides party place for an open play session. We have been many times before too, and she loves it. I haven't taken her in awhile and was a little nervous about taking her today, since today was the first time I wouldn't be able to bounce and go through the obstacles with her, but she did fantastic!!!! She played non-stop and I just sat on the sidelines and watched, taking pictures of course. Before when we would go she would get nervous and didn't want me out of her sight, but that was not the case today! She ran around and played with the other kids.

Oh yes, sorry no belly pic today. I never got around to it. I will try to do one next week! When I actually have a baby belly, there will definitely be a pic every week :) I will try to update Tuesday, after my OB appointment!!

8 weeks: 187.2 (-1.4lbs) I lost 2lbs in the past week?







7 Weeks & 5 Days: & a little bit of Emoree too.

Four weeks ago today I found out I am pregnant! Time has flown by. Tomorrow is my second ultrasound, and I should be able to see the heartbeat at this point. Very excited! I will update again on Thursday with the ultrasound pic. Today, Emoree wants to show off her Valentine's impromptu photo shoot!!

Yes selective color is tacky, and I normally never do it, but for that photo it works for me. Valentine's Day is tacky anyway, right? Emoree is growing up! We haven't done a staged photo shoot in quite a while, but this was the easiest by far. She is now old enough to follow directions, and want to listen. It helps she also likes to have her picture taken, as long as I show her the pictures right away :o) I may or may not print out the collage picture 4x6 and have her give them to her friends at preschool with a lollipop taped to the back, I haven't decided yet.

Last week I finished my first crochet project for Baby #2! I have soooo many more patterns I want to make too, so I am happy to have this one finished. The blanket measure 34"x35", and the hat is preemie sized at a 11"circ (unstretched), which may be able to fit baby #2 just for the first few weeks. Grandma says it's too girly if I have a boy.... I don't think the blanket is, the hat maybe.

Just for an idea of the crochet projects I have in mind.... I want to make newborn photography props (egg bowl, stork pouch, & swaddle wrap), and various hats including a newborn pumpkin hat and a crochet santa hat. And these are just my gender neutral projects! I'm excited to get girly (or boyish) with my ideas too.. but I can wait!! This is my last pregnancy and I stop myself from saying "I can't wait for.." because I don't want to rush it, it is going way too fast already!!! And after I finish my projects, or probably also in between, I plan to make preemie & newborn hats to donate to the NICU at the hospital I am delivering at. They only take 40-60 minutes each to make. :o)

Next update Thursday!