Getting ready for baby sister

More and more people are asking me when is my due date.  When I let them know I still have 1 more month they look surprised.  I don't know why.  (hee hee)

Even though I have 5.5 weeks left, I do feel like the time is getting real close, so this past weekend we spend a good chunk of time getting ready for baby sister.  On Friday, Alisha and I moved Alisha's room into Gwenevere's room and Gwenevere's room into Alisha's.  Thanks Alisha for all your hard work.  I wouldn't have been able to do it by myself.  When James came home Friday night, he set up Alisha's new bed.  Since her room is smaller she needed a smaller bed. 

Alisha's new room

 

I was kinda nervous to see how Gwenevere would do in her new room.  But she thought the move was GREAT.  At first she tried going into her old room (Alisha's room)  and laying down on Alisha's bed when I said it was time for bed.  But once she realized her bedroom was now Alisha's old bedroom.  She jumped right into bed and it wasn't a problem at all.  Yippee!

On Saturday morning.  James and Gwenevere set up Baby Sister's crib.  So that Gwenevere could get use to it being in her room before baby sister comes.  Gwenevere was so excited to help Papa.  And I really think she's starting to get the whole baby sister is coming soon, Idea. 

 

So this is Gwenevere AND baby Sister's new room

 I still need to hang up pictures and move curtains, but I've unpacked baby clothes, had a chance to inflate the birthing tub to see how big it is and started gathering birthing supplies.  We all feel ready for baby sister's arrival.

 When I asked Gwenevere how excited she is for Baby sister, this was her response

"This much"

 

  Gwenevere took this picture of Papa's excitement for Baby sister

 And this is my excitement for Baby Sister

Actually it's my excitement for new eyeliner. 

But I'm really this excited for Baby Sister to come too.

 

Pregnancy Update- Good news

I'm 33 weeks now,  Only 7 more to go.  WOW!  it's going by fast.  Baby sister is head down and hopefully will stay that way.  I get lots of kicks on my right side mostly from her feet but every now and than I get some good hand punches in the lower right hand side of my stomach. At my last appointment, my midwife could feel baby's head, back and bum.  And when they listened to her heart beat it was LOUD and clear.  Her back was pressed right up against my stomach, the way she sits most of the time.  My midwife was very impressed.

While at my appointment I took another Gestational Diabetes test.  The last one I took was at 26 weeks and we figured it was good to check again just in case.  The test came back negative.  YIPPEE  no GD this pregnancy.

I was also tested again for my platelets.  Last test was at 101 and we thought they might drop some more.  I've been eating a lot of protein and drinking an herbal tea that is good for the blood.  So I was super excited when I found out that my platelet count has increased to 127.  YIPPEE

I'll probably test my platelet counts again when it gets closer to the birth but this is a GREAT improvement. 

So now I won't complain that I have passed 155 lbs.  Kinda.  When I weigh myself on our home I weigh in about 152-153 but whenever I go to my appointments and weigh in I'm 3-5 lbs heavier. 

 But enough about me let me tell you about Baby sister. I feel we have a strong willed baby on the way.  When I'm sitting in an uncomfortable position for her, she will kick and kick and kick until I move.  She has even woken me up in my sleep because she was uncomfortable, and that's saying something, because I'm a deep sleeper.

When I can't stop baby sister from kicking me, I have Gwenevere come over and talk to her.  She stops moving right away and just listens to Gwenevere. 

In a few more weeks we will move Gwenevere into Alisha's room and Alisha into Gwenevere's room so that we can set up baby sisters bed in Gwenevere's new room and get things ready for when Baby sister comes. 

As for names,  Gwenevere still calls baby sister Alice, James still enjoys the name Eleanora, and I like Emlyn.  So that probably means baby sister will be named something completely unknowns to us at this time.  But we are excited to have her come into our home and not just be in my stomach.

30 weeks and Counting

So I'm 30 weeks along.  

About 10 more weeks to go. 

Yippee. 

Baby is still very active and I'm starting to feel big.   Trying to tell Gwenevere I can't pick her up because my tummy is so big is the hardest part so far, although sleep is beginning to get difficult as well. 

As for my prenatal appointments.  They are going well.  I love my midwife, but I might not be able to stay with her.  My platelet count dropped again and it can be difficult to increase it at this point in the pregnancy.  I have another appointment with her  on June 15th.  We'll do another blood draw and see if all the protein I'm trying to consume is helping.  If not, I'll probably start looking for another Doctor who can handle high risk pregnancies.  I really want to have a home birth so please keep me in your prayers.  As much as I want a home birth I want a safe birth, so that is why I'm looking into transferring care if my platelet count doesn't increase.

background on platelet count:  if you're not interested in reading skipped down to the next paragraph.  So a normal blood platelet count is between 450-150.  I've always been on the lower side of things.  At the beginning of Gwenevere's pregnancy my platelet count was 144.  By the end of that pregnancy it was 115.  Platelets help with the blood's ability to clot properly.  Sometime low platelet counts mean there is something wrong with your liver.  Other times it's caused by some rear genetic diseases.  Sometimes when undergoing  radiation therapy for cancer your platelet count will drop. We think the cause of my platelet count has to do poor protein intake and a distressed liver.  That is why I have been working to increase my protein.    Anyway, with this pregnancy my platelet count started at 124, low to begin with.  two weeks ago I had another test to see what my level was at it was 101.  If at my next appointment my platelet count has dropped again my midwife will do some genetic testing to see if that might be what's causing the low count.  

James was saying that if a patient's platelet count drops below 80 they stop physical therapy until it increases because it's very dangerous.  My midwife says if platelets drop between 50-20 a blood transfusion is needed.  and it's easy to drop once your platelet count gets low.   I don't think I'll need a blood transfusion but it's good to know when one would be needed just in case. 

With Gwenevere's pregnancy I wasn't allowed to have an epidural because my platelet count was below the recommend 120, the lowest safe number.    With my platelet count already at 101 it doesn't look promising.  But my midwife who is LDS said to get a blessing, eat  lots of protein 100-150 grams a day and drink an herbal tea that is very good for the blood.  Miracles do happen, and I'm not afraid to ask for one, so we'll see.  I'm trying to stay optimistic and realistic at the same time. 

As for weight gain: So my goal at the beginning was to stay under 150.  I started at 127.  Right now i'm at 148 and so I don't really think it's realistic to stay under 150 but possible 155.  That would be nice.  I've been a big slacker with my workouts lately, mainly because apartment complex stuff has increased and I've been doing a lot of crafts lately.  I have been going on walks with Gwenevere and James whenever it's been convenient just to keep moving.   James' school has open swim starting June 20th so Gwenevere and I hope to go swimming a lot this summer.  Until than I'll keep walking and try to eat healthier. 

That's my pregnancy update in a nutshell.  I've been going crazy cleaning house and sewing stuff.  I want to get as much done as I can before I hit the "I'm so pregnant, I can't do anything" feeling.

Once I finally finish some of my many started projects I'll do a post.  I'm so excited.  It's so fun getting ready for another baby.  Although to be completely honest I have thoughts of "What was I thinking, getting pregnant again, I already have the perfect baby."  And yes we still call Gwenevere our baby.  

Gwenevere is excited for her baby sister but I can tell she is in for some growing up.  I think she can feel the time is getting closer.  Gwenevere has never had an issue with Nursery but the last two weeks she has cried both times we took her to nursery.  She has also been super attached to me, begging to be held, rocked, cuddled, read to and so on.  She's beginning to be very winey at times.  I feel for her,  it must be hard wanting to grow up and be big yet be a baby still. I still feel that way sometimes.    

okay so I wrote more than I thought I would, and now I really have to get of the computer and get to cub scouts.  Wish me luck.

24 weeks

Over the last two weeks I have tried and tried again to get a decent pregnancy picture but haven't been pleased with the outcomes.  I really need to pluck my eye brows,  but that's another day's project.  Until than here are the best of my attempts.

 Laughing is okay.  

I'm still trying to find my funky free love for my growing belly. 

I have a hunch this baby will be early.

If it's like any of my other intuitions it's probably wrong.

But none the less here is my rationalizations to this hunch.

1. She sits super low and my pelvis is already super loose.

2. She is very active and I can't imagine her wanting to just hang out in a crowded belly for weeks on end

3.  James' internship ends two days after my due date and it would be very convenient for her to wait til he is finished before coming.  But  when does a baby wait for things to be convenient. Hence the reason I think she'll be early.

4. I wouldn't mind enjoying a few more days of summer un-pregnant.

"Plans are meant to be changed"

I once was given a blessing where I was told by my Heavenly Father, that "plans are meant to be changed".  I have often wonder what that means, and I guess it just means we need to willing to accept the Lord's plan even though we are told to plan and be prepared. 

With that being said, 

James and I have been planning a home birth.  We have told some, but we haven't really shouted off the roof top our plans.  

When we have shared our plans we have had several negative and sometimes hurtful comments and remarks.  These remarks, said with good intentions, have left us at times confused and concerned.  Today my sweet sister asked me "Why we wanted a home birth?"  And for the first time I was able to express what I wanted to say.  So thank you.  

This is my response to her questions

I don't know if I can really explain why I want a home birth.  To me, it's very personal and I don't feel like I should try to explain because it's a personal thing, between my heavenly father, James myself and our child to be born.  I've tried to share my thoughts with others and whenever birth stories are brought up, it seems like the worst horror stories are told.  I've been judged by many and I've felt hurt and confused.  That is when the Lord has stepped in and has taken my hand in the processes.  He has confidence in my choices and I must have the faith to believe in him. 

I want the baby to come into this world in the most comfortable environment I can create and the home just seems to be the right place for us.  

To be perfectly honest, I really don't like hospitals.  And on a somewhat selfish response  I don't want to have an IV, I don't want to be monitored by machines, and I don't want the after birth screenings that are required at hospital.  I HATE the security chips, the 24 hours observation afterward, and I Hate the feeling of bring a prisoner.  I guess my feelings of a hospital are a little bit different than (some). 

With Gwenevere I was so uncomfortable being in the hospital that I didn't eat and couldn't sleep and my body yearned to go home, but I was told I had to stay at least 24 hours.  It wasn't fun, and I missed my home more than any other time in my entire life.  And on top of that I missed sleeping in the same bed as James.  I felt so out of place, I wasn't able to really rest and recover like some.  And the Recovery is so important. 

I can tell you all the reason I don't want a hospital birth but the choice for a home birth is more than that.  I just don't know how to really explain it.  A home birth is somewhat different and therefore not as easy to explain.  Especially because many of my friends and family members have had complicated births and wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the medical technology and hospital systems that we have today.

But with that said, a home birth is going to be a LOT of work, and I want to make sure that the work is worth it and if not, than I'll give up some of my wants and go with a hospital birth. 

I also have some health concerns and I don't want to put my baby at risk so if it's better for me to be at a hospital, that's were i'll be, but the Lord is by my side and I'll follow him.  If he believes I can have a healthy home birth, than so do I. 

Like I said earlier, I really don't know which way the Lord is leading me.  A week ago I got a strong impression to visit another hospital.  So yesterday James and I took another hospital tour.  And now the Lord is telling me to get to the temple.  I don't know the meaning of all this but I know He's by me, leading me in this process and teaching me each step of the way.  I can almost hear His voice.

I still feel comfortable pursuing a home birth at this time.  The end result isn't as important as the lessons I'm learning in this process.  I'm very humbled by this process and I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father's active parenting.

It's been a great testimony building process and I'm happy to have the faith to follow.  I'll plan all that I can and than the rest will be in the Lords hands.  

I can't hide it anymore

James surprised me with a new pair of shoes for the summer.

 I love my man