Good News

I had another dr appointment today. First, I had another ultrasound which went well. This time we got to see her face and it was sweet we even saw her opening and closing her mouth. We finally got some good face shots. However, she was a stinker because she had her legs closed and wouldn't open them. I wanted the tech to double check that she was a girl. Nope, wouldn't budge.

The good news is that the hematoma is almost gone. Just a tiny bit left. Also, the placenta moved up so it is no longer low lying. I was beyond ecstatic. However, I do still have some restrictions to be on the safe side as dr put it.

Baby is 1 pound and measuring in the --% (can't remember numbers) dr said that is on the small side. Which isn't out of the ordinary for me. I usually make up for it in the end. Well at least I did with my other 3 kids. Dr wants to be sure baby is okay so in 6 weeks I will get another ultrasound. Dr and tech both said the baby is really close up to the wall. The other thing was that the cord was wrapped around baby's neck. Dr isn't too concerned because it can move but we have to keep on eye on it. Everything else looked great and heartbeat was 162 bpm.

I go back in 4 wks for another check-up which includes the sugar test. YUCK!!! I hate the orange, sugary drink. Why couldn't it be another flavor?

For the most part I have been feeling pretty good. I have my days I just don't feel right but I think those are days she is really growing. 116 3/4

Halfway-20 wks today

It's hard to believe I am at the halfway point today. I am thrilled and blessed to have made it thus far. As one of my friends, said it best when you have a scare in pregnancy the pregnancy takes on a new meaning.

Anna has been moving a ton lately which is nice to know she is moving and growing. I can hardly wait to get another peek at her at my next Dr appointment.

We have been going over middle names or should I say, Mommy has been mulling over middle names. Daddy says we have plenty of time so why do we need to decide today. Mommy is a planner and likes to have things decided and done. LOL

So far we have narrowed it down to Joy (Daddy's favorite), Sophia (I just realized last night there is a young actress with this name, so probably rules it out), Christine/Kristine, Noelle (Mommy's favorite), and then we had others we ruled out which was Catherine/Katherine, Elizabeth, Mae, and Danielle. I jokingly said to Daddy maybe we should do Joelle to compromise. LOL

I guess we will do what we did with your brother, Caleb and wait until you are born to decide.

These past couple of days, I have had headaches. I don't know if its my sleeping (bad pillow or head placement), new vitamins (not as good as other brand I had before), or something else. I've tried to make sure that I am drinking enough so I don't get dehydrated. I use to get headaches when I was pregnant with your brother, Caleb.

I feel so bad because I haven't taken any pregnancy pictures. Time has just gotten away from me which is a horrible excuse. I did take one at 16 weeks but then realized the camera was on video and not picture. I really start to show until 13 weeks and then I had my big scare and kinda didn't know what to think or do. So today at 20 weeks, I made myself take a picture. I want you to know you are loved and very special to me. Even if you don't have as many pictures of you in my belly.

BIG ULTRASOUND

Today was an exciting day. I couldn't wait for my dr apt. The clock was my constant friend today. Daddy, your siblings, and I loaded up and headed to the dr's. The weather was strange today. It was cloudy and windy and then the sun would come out for just a bit and then disappear.

Arrived at the dr's office and Grandma (Sue) was there. I could barely wait until they called my name. The ultrasound tech was really sweet. We told her right away that we wanted to find out the gender. She asked me what I thought. I said girl but kinda doubted myself this past week. She laughed and said a mother's intuition is usually right. Most techs do all the other stuff first and gender last or in the middle. It wasn't but 2 minutes and she said "IT'S A GIRL" you were right, mommy. She then showed us your girly parts. I was worried that you might make us wait and not show us your stuff. LOL

Then she measured and look at others things. We saw and heard your heart beat at 159 bpm. We saw your feet, toes, legs, arms, hand, fingers, and spine. Your legs were crossed and the tech laughed and said your were already a lady. She tried to get your profile of your face but you wouldn't cooperate. She tried everything. The closest we got was a side with your ear and the back with your hand. Oh, dear is this proof you will be a stinker early on or a shy one?

The hematoma shrunk some which is good news. It went from a 5cm to a 3.5 cm. I was hoping it was gone altogether. Because I haven't spotted for 2 weeks. Other news was that I have a low lying placenta which is new for me. I didn't experience this with your siblings. So it is something that has to be watched. It can move which we are praying it does. It has to be at least 2.5 for a vaginal delivery. I really don't want a c-section. Dr Cote said there is still plenty of time for it to move. So on a good note, I get another peek at you in 4 weeks at the next apt I get another ultrasound.

I asked Micah how he felt about another sister. He gave a big smile and said he knew from the very beginning it was a girl. He said he was glad because, Julia will have a sister to play with. Then he said, "God answered our prayers." Caleb said he was a little sad because he thought Julia should have a baby brother too. However, he was a little happy too. Julia just kept saying baby over and over again.

I thought you were a girl just because I felt really nauseated like I did with your sister. And I craved junk food at the beginning. With your brothers, I craved healthy things. Too funny

So excited we can call you by name instead of just baby.
"ANNA "

Your middle name is still being worked on. I will post the story about your first name later.
After the dr apt we went Olive Garden and it was delicious. We ate there after your sister's ultrasound too. LOL

New Revelation

So yesterday it just hit me. I can't be in the constant state of worry. It isn't good for me or the baby. With Caleb I had a stressful pregnancy and he had major acid reflux and was a high needs baby. I don't want that again.

This is my last pregnancy so I NEED to enjoy it and not think of the what ifs. I decided that I need to let go and let God. I will enjoy each day and learn to be excited like my other pregnancies. If a bad time comes then I will handle it with the help of God, my family and my friends.

I am really excited about the ultrasound and keep counting down the days.

Up and then down

So yesterday I had another dr appointment that went well. Did the routine stuff-weight, urine sample, blood pressure, and listen to baby's heart beat. He kept me on all the restrictions until the "BIG" ultrasound which is scheduled for April 27th (I'll be 19 wks). I was excited about that because normally my dr likes to wait until 20 wks for it. Yeah, I know its only a week but 7 days less of waiting LOL

I have been feeling better and have had more energy which is nice. Spotting has slowed down and I thought I was almost done with it. BIG NOPE. However, I do get a break here and there. 3 days nothing and then heavy and then 2 days nothing and then spotting again. As I have read and heard, its a normal thing for the hematoma. I just like when I have nothing b/c then I seem not to worry as much.

Any time my stomach hurts I get nervous and sometimes its probably just stretching and growing. Today I am really sore and I just am trying to relax and think positive. It doesn't help that one of Jeremy's close co-worker's wife lost her baby this week and she was due in September too.

Last night, I had a nightmare about birth and the NICU. I couldn't go back to sleep. So today I am tired and I think overly hormonal. The cloudy , rainy weather doesn't help either. Each day I take one step at a time and thank the Lord when the day is done. Just as each week passes, I think, "Whew! I made it through and onto the next week".

I am excited and nervous about the ultrasound and can't believe its almost here.

Flutters

I think I have felt little flutters this week. It started on Sunday. Once or twice a day I think its you that I feel. Its great to know that you are moving. Also I am starting to get a noticeable belly. I NEED to take a picture and can hardly believe I haven't taken one yet. Shame on mommy.

Spot here and spot there, here a spot there a spot

So a little over a week has passed and I am still spotting. UGH, being pregnant you are suppose to get a break from pads and panty liners. Most days are light and I even had 2 days with no spotting. I thought I was done. However, after that I had 2 heavy days of spotting. Luckily it has been burgundy or brown blood. But I hate seeing it.

My doppler arrived yesterday! YIPPEE!!! So I have been able to check your heart beat which is awesome. Funny story-I was trying out the doppler for the first time and couldn't find you. Then Julia took over and found your heart beat right away. It is so great to hear it every day.

I have been really tired lately, so I think I might have my iron and thyroid checked again. I am tired of not being able to do everything to. It drives me nuts to have the floor not vacuumed every other day. I feel like I am a bother to everyone especially daddy.

I am trying to stay positive but some days its hard. I love you dearly and want you but I feel guilty when I can't carry your sister or do tons of things with your brothers. I just wanted my last pregnancy to be careful and wonderful. It has been stressful at times and I don't think I will be at peace until you are born close to your due date and in my arms -safe.

Miscarrying and pre-term labor are always in the back of my mind. I want you more than anything my sweet baby.