Baby Update - 22 Weeks

How many weeks?  22 weeks – 4 more weeks until I reach our short-term goal!

How am I feeling?  I’ve been doing pretty well.  I had a couple of contractions last weekend which freaked me out a bit.  I’ve noticed that the closer I get to the 23-24 week mark, the more nervous I am when I feel something strange or different.  I try to tell myself it’s probably a normal pregnancy feeling and just pray, pray, pray…

What’s new this week?  Corey and I finally decided on a middle name for our little girl…Camryn Grace!

Doctor’s appointment?  My doctor is very pleased with how well my pregnancy is going.  My cervix and the cerclage are still holding up.  In 2 weeks, I’ll have my ultrasound with the high-risk doctor.  He will look at fetal growth and measure the length of my cervix.  While my OB has been manually checking my cervix every week, he’s never measured it with an ultrasound so I’m curious what the length is going to be.

Weight gain?  20 lbs!

Baby preparation?  Camryn received her first cuter-than-ever dress and matching bib from my step-mom.  It’s pink and green with a little lady bug on the front…so cute!  Corey and I have started looking at nursery furniture online.  So many options…oh the decisions!

Specific prayer requests?  Please continue to pray for the following requests:
          (1) the progesterone works properly and keeps my uterus happy;
          (2) the cerclage stays in place and keeps my cervix closed;
          (3) any contractions I have will not change my cervix;
          (4) God’s peace surrounds me as I approach 23-24 weeks; and
          (5) I reach the current short-term goal of 26 weeks.

As always, we really appreciate your prayers and support!

Baby Update - 21 Weeks

How many weeks?  21 weeks!

How am I feeling?  The burst of energy I had a few weeks ago has definitely subsided which is a good thing.  Now I don’t feel so bad just chilling on the couch most of the day.  I just finished making some diaper wreaths for my sister-in-law and cousin who are expecting baby boys in April and June.  Now I need to decide on my next project.

What’s new this week?  Corey gave me my progesterone injection this week.  He did a great job for it being his first time.  The last two weeks I’ve been getting some irritation near the injection site so we’ll see if his technique makes a difference.

Doctor’s appointment?  Getting to the doctor this week was absolutely crazy.  With it being Spring Break and the fact that a zoo is across the street from my doctor’s office, traffic was absolutely horrible.  I was 30 minutes late to my appointment but they were able to fit me in in no time.  Everything is looking good.  I will continue to go to my OB every week.  I’ll also be going to the high-risk doctor once a month for an ultrasound.

Weight gain?  18 lbs so far!

Baby preparation?  Corey has been off this week so we (and by “we” I mean Corey) rearranged our living room furniture.  We have decided to put our recliner in Camryn’s nursery.  Our living room has plenty of seating area with the 2 couches so we’re going to save some money and “re-use” the chair in her room.  Corey also cleaned out the closet in the spare bedroom that will be Camryn’s nursery.  All the cleaning made us start thinking about how we’re going to set up her nursery…exciting!  Something else that was exciting this week…Camryn’s bedding was delivered.  I love it!  My favorite thing besides the colors is the quilted comforter.  My mom bought the softest pink blanket with a green elephant on the corner.  The colors match her bedding so well.  Camryn's first assessories were given to me today from my sister.  She bought Camryn 3 adorable bows while she was in New York this week.  Little girl stuff is so very cute! 

Specific prayer requests?  Please continue to pray for the requests I posted last week:
          (1) the progesterone works properly and keep my uterus happy;
          (2) the cerclage stays in place and keeps my cervix closed
          (3) any contractions I have will not change my cervix; and
          (4) I reach the current short-term goal of 26 weeks.

Thank y’all so much!

Baby Update - 20 Weeks

How many weeks?  20 weeks…made it to the half way mark!

How am I feeling?  I’ve experienced a couple of contractions recently but my doctor said that will happen as my uterus continues to change and grow.  As long as the contractions aren’t causing my cervix to change, then everything is fine.

What’s new this week?  Tonight after dinner I was sitting on the couch typing this post and watching TV.  Camryn start kicking up a storm.  Just for kicks (no pun intended:)), I told Corey to put his hand on my belly to see if he could feel her kicking...and he did!  She gave three good, strong kicks to the right side of my belly just for her daddy!

Doctor’s appointment?  We had the anatomy scan on Monday with the high-risk doctor.  All of Camryn’s organs are developing normally and everything is looking great!  My regular doctor's appointment was also great.  First of all, we heard Camryn’s heartbeat.  I forgot to ask the nurse how fast it was though.  Her heartbeat was 155 bpm at the anatomy scan.  My cervix is still holding up, long and unchanged.  Also, the injection went a lot better this week.  The nurse used a smaller needle and administered the medicine slower so it wasn’t painful at all.  I am a little sore today but that seems to be the normal weekly occurrence.  What was so amazing about this appointment was that we were in and out in about 40 minutes…quickest appointment ever! 

Weight gain?  17 lbs – 2 lbs from last week!  I did ask the doctor about my continuous weight gain.  His exact words were, “I’m not worried about your weight gain. I just want you to fatten that baby up!”  So if he’s not concerned, I’m not going to be either.  I have been eating more sweets lately so I do plan to change that up a bit and try to eat more fruits and veggies:)

Baby preparation?  I ordered Camryn’s bedding.  It should be here by next Tuesday.  I’m really excited about it.  I love all the colors.  You can see for yourself in the picture below.  The next thing to pick out is her nursery furniture, but I’m pretty sure we won’t buy anything until I’m at least 24 to 26 weeks.

Specific prayer requests?  You don’t know how incredibly blessed I feel to be 20 weeks and for everything to be going so well.  I talked to my doctor this week about short-term and long-term goals for this pregnancy.  Right now his goal is to make it to 26 weeks.  Technically, 24 weeks is the point of viability but still extremely early in the pregnancy so we’re shooting for 26 weeks.  Long-term my doctor is hoping we make it to 36 weeks.  While it would be great to make it the full-term 40 weeks, he is trying to be realistic at the same time.  Also, weeks 23 and 24 are going to be hard for us because that’s when I went into labor with Connor.  I will try my best to take those weeks one day at a time and hopefully not stress and drive myself crazy, but I know only God is going to get me through those weeks and the rest of the pregnancy.  So I’m asking y’all to please pray specifically for the following:
          (1) the progesterone works properly and keeps my uterus happy;
          (2) the cerclage stays in place and keeps my cervix closed;
          (3) any contractions I have will not change my cervix; and
          (4) I reach the current short-term goal of 26 weeks.

Thanks so much for your love, support, and prayers!

Baby Update - 19 Weeks

How many weeks?  19 weeks…almost half way there!

How am I feeling?  I’m feeling fine.  My belly’s been a little tight lately but I think it’s because our little Camryn is growing:)  My books and weekly email say she’s about 8 oz. now.

What’s new this week?  I learned how to hem jeans!  Several weeks ago I ordered some maternity pants in long because that was the only inseam available in the size I needed.  Well, thanks to You Tube, my jeans no longer drag the ground.  Now that my sewing machine is threaded, I will probably be working on a few more projects.

Doctor’s appointment?  OK, so I’m thinking it might be better to not know when the shot is coming.  The nurse counted this time, and it hurt pretty badly.  So next week I’m going to try not counting.  Other than that, Camryn and I are doing great.  My 20-week ultrasound is next Monday.  We can’t wait to see our little girl and hopefully get some good pictures.

Weight gain?  15 lbs – 4 lbs from last week!  I guess I was making up for not gaining any weight last week:)

Baby preparation?  I did some more online shopping…for me that is.  Well, really for my ever expanding belly:)  The only place I really go these days is to the doctor.  I was sure I could find a few regular shirts to still fit over my belly but I’m quickly running out of options.  Hopefully, my order will be delivered in the next couple of days.  As for Camryn, once we confirm she’s a she on Monday I might buy the bedding I picked out several weeks ago, though I’m still a little hesitant about buying anything at this point.  We shall see…