35 Weeks and counting . . .

So . . . I was just looking at my previous posts and realizing what a terrible blogger I am. :-( I am 35 4/7 weeks, with just about 4 weeks to go! All my check ups have been good. I've only put on 14 lbs so far for this pregnancy. I am starting to see my doctor weekly at this point. Tim and I have almost everything we need, just a few tidbits left. I will be packing my hospital bag this week. I'm very excited (and incredibly nervous)! About 3 weeks ago at my doctors appointment, my doctor made a comment while measuring my belly. It went something like this . . . Doctor: "Hmmmm. How big a baby were you?" Me: "7lbs 1 oz" Doctor to Tim: "How big were you?" Tim: "6lbs 4 oz" Doctor to us: "Well, you are going to have a big baby" .... Me & Tim were too shocked to say anything. So about 2 weeks ago, Tim called in a favor with a friend and we snuck up to L&D at our hospital and got another ultrasound. We wanted to get an estimate as to how big our baby really is. The measurements indicated she was about 4lbs 8oz (at 34 weeks). Not terribly big . . . but she still had plenty of time to pack on a couple more lbs! It was so much fun to watch her during the ultrasound. She kept yawning and was practicing breathing! We got a couple pictures. Her profile looks like she will have Tim's nose! :-) I will try and post a picture soon.
Well . . . that pretty much sums up what's new with me. I happen to be a big fan of my friend Märia's blog. She writes incredibly well, and I aspire to be as good a blogger as she is. While reading a recent blog from her, she mentioned me and now I am suppose to state 6 things I value, 6 things I don’t value, and pass it on to 6 bloggers -- so here goes:

Six Things I Value:
1. My husband, family and friends
2. Puppy kisses
3. Freshly washed sheets & a clean house
4. A fresh pot of coffee & a hot breakfast (made by someone other than me)!
5. Sleep (I agree with Märia on this . . . the past few weeks I havent gotten more than 2 hours at a time)
6. My days off from work

Six Things I Don’t Value:
1. Being so far from my family and friends
2. When the dogs potty on the carpet!
3. Having to work for a living
4. Pregnancy pains . . .
5. Clutter
6. Never having enough $$

Six people I’m passing my blog award to:
Unfortunately, I don't know 6 people that blog. :-( I would pass it on to my friend Adele, but I don't think she reads my blog. I would pass is back to Märia, but I don't know if it's allowed. I'm afraid this will end with me!

Baby Registry

I've been asked by some if we were going to register for the baby, as well as what stores are on Oahu. Currently the best stores we have right now include: Walmart, USA Baby, and Sears. Gift Cards at any of those stores (or Amazon.com) would be greatly appreciated!!! We have already gotten a Crib, Swing, Bouncer, Stroller & Carseat. The Swing and Bouncer are Fisher Price (Rainforest Theme) -- so we are going to use that theme for the baby's room. (If that helps. . . hint hint) You can also shop online at: http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.walmart.com/, http://www.babiesrus.com/, http://www.buybuybaby.com/, http://www.sears.com/, http://www.onestepahead.com/, and http://www.rightstart.com/. ;-) Online shopping is a great way to go (Amazon is a great way to shop because you can usually qualify for FREE SHIPPING), but just make sure that the items can be shipped to Hawaii. Most online stores don't ship large or oversized items to Hawaii.

Now . . . an update about me. I received a call from my doctor about my test results. I was initially worried, because I had just taken my glucose tolerance test which would show if I was likely to get gestational diabetes. Well, the glucose test was normal . . . But I am very anemic. My Hemaglobin and Hematocrit levels were 10 & 31 (For those who don't know, the low end of normal is 13 & 39). My doctor recommended that I start taking Iron supplements twice a day in addition to my Prenatal Vitamins. :-( (Good for Baby, Bad for Regularity). I don't have much else to report. My next appointment is this week (September 3). I will keep everyone posted!

Love, Nicole

It's a Girl!

Sooooo. . . . We were able to have another ultrasound and we were able to see the gender! We are definately expecting a little girl!!! I'm 6 months along right now. I'm feeling good. We got all the measurements this time except for the spine, but I most likely won't be having another ultrasound. The baby was positioned funny. She was transverse and folded flat. At one point her legs were above her head! The pictures above are: (top right) girl parts, (top left) baby yawning, (bottom right) side picture (bottom left) face. I don't have much else to report now. But I will keep you posted!! Love, Nicole

5 month Ultrasound Picture & Baby Bump

I know I haven't really been keeping up with this blog. :-( I've just been sooooo busy! I had my 5 month ultrasound on July 24th. Our baby was very shy and wouldn't show us it's gender. :-( But all the measurements were on target and our baby is healthy! My doctor had been out of town, and then Tim and I got to spend a fun week in Maui. I had a follow up appointment with my doctor this week (August 11) and everything is going well. We could hear the heartbeat. I am definately feeling movement now. It feels like the baby is flipping around in there! :-) Tim was actually able to feel the baby moving this week!!! It's crazy! We are sooooo excited! My next appointment isn't until September 3rd. I will do a glucose tolerance test sometime before then, just to rule out gestational diabetes. Otherwise things are going well. I've included some pictures. Two are from my 5 month Ultrasound and 2 are from our trip to Maui. You can actually see my baby bump now!!! Love, Nicole

Heartbeat

Aloha Everyone!
Just a quick note today . . . I am going into week 17 and feeling pretty good. I have another doctor's appointment this week (on July 2nd). Tonight has probably been the most exciting yet! One of the perks of being a nurse and working in the hospital . . . I was able to borrow a doppler and was able to hear the baby's heartbeat! It varied . . . about 137-152. Which, according to the Wive's Tale, could be either a boy or girl. They say 120-140 is a boy, and 140-160 is a girl. Hmmm. Guess I will still have to wait a month to find out! I will keep you posted!
Love,
Nicole

Second Doctor's Visit

I know I'm posting this a little late, but I haven't felt very good the past 2 weeks. I had my second doctor's visit on May1st. I posted the ultrasound picture to the right. It is sooo cute! You can see the head, tiny body, and tiny arms and legs. I was about 8 weeks along when this was taken. I am now going into week 11. I am feeling much better! Not so much nausea, or exhaustion!! I will keep everyone posted as I progress. Not too much else to report this time. Love, Nicole

My Second Appointment

I had my second appointment today! Tim and I got to see our sweet pea on the ultrasound as well as the heart beat!!! The baby is 0.64cm long. :-) We are very excited! It was amazing to see the little sea monkey growing inside of me!!! According to the preg wheel & my LMP I am due on December 9th, but according to the u/s machine and baby's size I'd be Due December 13th. I've been doing well, just really tired and battling a little bit of nausea. I have another appointment and u/s scheduled for next week, so I will keep everyone posted! Love, Nicole

My First Appointment

I had my first appointment today (I am 5 weeks along). It went well, just normal check up stuff and some labs. I will have an ultrasound on my next appointment in two weeks (April 22). The Doctor confirmed my due date, December 9th! :-) I am feeling well . . . just a little bit tired, but most likely due to my hectic work schedule this week. I don't have too much else to report. On a side note . . . Tim and I could use some help coming up with girl names. :-) I will keep you posted on my progress.
Love,
Nicole

More than Double

I'm just too excited!!! I drew my blood at work again . . . HCG levels are supposed to double about every 2-3 days. . . . and mine have more than doubled in 48 hours. Thursday night my level was 356, and Saturday night my level was 869! This is definately good news! I will keep everyone posted.

Love,
Nicole

I have a bun in the oven . . .

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would start a blog to keep my family & friends updated on my progress. If I haven't told you by now . . . Tim and I are pregnant! We are due December 9th. My secret evil plan worked -- I have Christmas and New Year's off on Maternity Leave. Tim and I are very excited!!! Of course we happened to find out on April 1st and my family thought it was some kind of April Fool's prank -- but it is definatley not. I've peed on a stick 7 times (all positive) and I drew my blood at work to confirm it! I am still a little shocked! Although I am only officially 17 days past ovulation/conception -- I am considered 4 weeks along -- which means I am 1 month pregnant! Who knew that you were already a month into your pregnancy by the time you figure it out. Well . . . that just means one month down and 8 to go (or Baby is 11% downloaded)! I have made my first Doctor's appointment for next Thursday. I will keep everyone posted on how things progress. Love, Nicole