Quick Checkup Update

If you read my Medical Jargon post, I wanted to update you after my appointment today. Turns out everything came back normal! My levels were all normal (sugar and iron) and no signs of any antibodies. I will have to go back next week to get the rhogam shot though, because I have to wait until I'm 28 weeks along to have it.

Watermelon is Delish!

Still no weird cravings for food, but I have been eating a lot of waffles and a whole lotta watermelon! Phil decided to take a picture of me while I was indulging in a little watermelon therapy on the couch one night.



Does this count as a pregnancy craving?

And here's another belly photo! I'm definitely rounding out..."out" being the operative word. heehee

26 weeks, 1 day

Medical Jargon

On Friday I had to go to a lab and take a test for gestational diabetes. This is apparently standard testing for pregnant women who are about 27 weeks along, and doesn't mean anything in and of itself. But of course anytime you have to take a test like that it is a little nerve wracking.
I went in pretty early in the day so that all I had eaten was breakfast beforehand. My nurse midwife told me I didn't need to fast but that it would be a good idea not to eat too many sweets and carbs before I went. Since I love me some fruit and bread, I decided post-omelet breakfast time would probably be the best time to go!
When I got there they made me drink a bottle of what amounted to be flat orange soda. I don't drink soda anyway, so it wasn't very tasty. Luckily, it wasn't very much to drink. Then I had to wait an hour after finishing to have my blood drawn. I normally give blood pretty regularly (you know, when I'm not knocked up), so I'm used to the needles.
The worst part is probably the wait from now until I get to hear about the results on Monday. I haven't experienced anything in my pregnancy that I feel should cause me worry about developing gestational diabetes, but I do have a lot of family members who have developed diabetes. I'll of course update everyone after Monday to let you all know the results!

I'm also due for a Rhogam shot. This is a shot that women who are Rh negative (blood characteristic) have to take around 27 weeks as a preventative measurement. Basically, if Ridley is Rh positive we don't want her blood and my blood to mix. This would cause my blood to build up antibodies. This wouldn't be a problem with my current pregnancy, but would be a problem for any future pregnancies (the antibodies would want to attack the new "invader" in any future pregnancy). So as a preventative measurement (since we don't know Ridley's blood characteristic) I get this Rhogam shot which prevents my blood from building up those antibodies. After I deliver Ridley, we will see if she is Rh positive and if she is then I will get another Rhogam shot (the chances of our blood mixing is highest at delivery).
This all sounds complicated, but in actuality is pretty routine. With the development of this shot, the issue of being Rh negative really isn't one anymore. That is certainly something of which I am very grateful!

Baby Shopping

Phil and I went crib shopping this past Saturday and finally picked out Ridley's crib and dresser! We have to wait for it to be delivered, but I can't wait to get it set up and placed under the tree. We also went through the baby store and checked out strollers and car seats.

Strollers and car seats and breast pumps, oh my!

It's all really a little overwhelming. There is SO MUCH out there and SO MUCH that I don't know. I've been reading about baby products, but it's still difficult to tell what's really essential and what isn't. It all seems so essential! And if any of you know me very well, you'll know that I want every single thing in place well before my due date. But I know it will all fall in place and I should really focus on the non-materialistic things to come.

3 months and 6 days to go until my due date of Sept 28th!

The Mural is Finished!

I couldn't be happier with the results of the mural on the nursery wall. Here are the pictures in progressive order. Goldie was amazing and it was a lot of fun! I can't wait to get the furniture in there. Phil and I are going crib shopping this Saturday.

She's Kickin'!

Ridley has been very active and I've been able to feel her movements for a few weeks now. Last week Philip was even able to feel her move when he had his hand on my tummy. Today I looked down while she was tumbling around and I could see my stomach move! Bump! She's getting bigger and stronger, and I'm really enjoying my pregnancy at this stage. :-)

23 weeks 3 days

Growing and Making Room

This week has been pretty relaxing and enjoyable. I worked on a film during the month of May (12 hour days, 6 day weeks) so after finishing my final day last Tuesday, I had some time to relax. I caught up on sleep, visited some friends and family in Raleigh, and started painting the nursery!

As I think I've mentioned previously, my neighbor and very talented artist friend is helping me paint a mural on the nursery wall. Yesterday I finished the base color and today she came over and we finished getting the outline and first coat on the wall. She does all the heavy lifting (drawing it out and finishing the details) while I get to play like a five year old with a whole wall as her coloring book!

We should have it done by the end of the weekend (we have to take breaks painting it with her schedule and mine) and I'm so anxious to show off pictures of the finished product. Until then, I'm posting a teaser picture and my 24 week belly photo.

The BEFORE picture.

24 weeks 1 day (in my paint clothes!)