29 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Today marks the end of the 29th week of this pregnancy. I keep looking at that number in disbelief. I don't know if it is because I am getting older, than the months just seem to blend from one to the next, but I do not remember time moving this fast when I was younger. Even keeping track of time in weeks seems to speed things up! Thinking about the eleven weeks remaining until you are due to make your arrival, I know that you are going to be here before we know it. There are just three and a half weeks until Christmas. Which means four and a half weeks until we celebrate the New Year, and the year of your arrival. Then only 6 weeks in 2008 until you are set to arrive.

I am full of anticipation over the thought of meeting you for the first time. There is so much to look forward to with this surprise- are you a boy or a girl? Grandma and GiGi are both dead set that you will be a boy. So much so that they have both taken to calling you by our boy name. Daddy has had a few slip ups, where he has called you by name, too- I just try to gently remind them that you are neither one nor the other, not until we meet you and know for sure. I know most people wish we would have found out, but I am having so much fun, wondering just who you are. Not only just what will you look like, be like, smell like, feel like- but who you are in every sense. Will you look like your big sister, who is a perfect blend of her Daddy and me? Or will you favor one of us over the other?

The last weeks have been so fun, with you moving around constantly. I never get tired of feeling your kicks and squirms as you try to make more room inside me. I could never get tired of feeling it, knowing that I have life growing within. I could handle anything to make sure you are healthy and thriving. Even dealing with the diabetes- pricking my fingers daily is definitely not peachy, but it is something that has to be done to ensure you are okay. I would already do anything for you, sweet baby of mine.

I yearn for the day when I will hold you in my arms for the first time, but I know this is a most important part of your growth, these last eleven weeks, so I will sit patiently with my hand upon my belly and feel you, knowing that the clocks are working in our favor and that day will be here soon. I love you already, more than you'll ever know.

All my love,
Mama

October 2007

A Finger-Pricking Good Time

It's that time again, boys and girls- the dreaded glucose test. With Savannah, I failed the first part but passed the second. This time, not so lucky. I went in on Halloween (who does that to a pregnant woman!?) for the first part and at this office they actually use a glucose monitor like a diabetic uses- just a finger prick and instant results! I must admit, it was much nicer than the vial of blood they drew 2 years ago. But this time I found out I failed, instantly. So out I went to schedule my next appointment- which they oh so conveniently had an opening for the next morning. Luckily, Jaime and Shawn were in town, so I didn't have to think about Savannah sitting in the waiting room for 3 hours with me. 

So Thursday morning rolled around and I had been so good about my sugar in take. I barely touched the Halloween candy, which- admit it- is a huge feat for a pregnant woman! Second verse, same as the first, only I didn't even have to be there for 3 hours. I failed in two. Yay for me! I was sent into the doctor's office (kind of felt like a visit to the principal, except I never had to do that so I am only assuming) where I was told to meet with a dietician (but the class is only offered on Thursdays, so I would have to wait a week) and was given a prescription for a finger-pricking machine. And that was it! No instruction on how to use it, so advice on what foods to avoid. Just a pat on my head and they pointed me towards the door.

A few phone calls and many tears shed later I was feeling a bit better. My sister called the office for me to find out what sugar levels I should look for, and what to avoid eating (carbs, was all they said). I called my mom at work, crying, and she went off in search of the diabetics counselor who loaded Mom up with books and a *free* glucose meter! Mom took off work on Friday to come and bring it all to me. Aren't mom's the best?

After talking to my mom and Julie, who had to go through this with Caleb, I am feeling better. Still frustrated with the doctor's office for leaving me so uninformed- at this point I feel like I know everything they would teach me in the class, without going! By far, the worst part is the finger pricking. Knowing that you are about to inflict pain on yourself, and that you have to do it, is a seriously mean psychological game. But, in the interest of my little one I can suffer through for the next 3 months. Even having to go through Thanksgiving and Christmas (aka Carb Fest 2007 Part I and II) is something I can suffer through, for the greater good. We will just have a HUGE Easter celebration this year :)

Also- Brad is in the process of replacing our operating systems, so all our recent Fall and Halloween photos are either on a DVD or on my camera still, waiting to be added to the computer. I promise I will get some up soon!!