Sunday, November 22, 2009

My Nephew Is Here!

Greyson Charles Edward Lastname was born on Saturday November 21st at 3:10 in the morning (EST). He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 21.75 inches long! From talking to my brother-in-law I guess he has really long fingers (just like my sister does) and big feet. He was born with a full head of dark hair.

I am so overjoyed that he is a healthy baby. I wish my sister didn't have such an icky labor though. She ended up needing a c-section after pushing for over 6 hours. He was sunny side up and his head was too big to fit through the canal (sign of a really big brain perhaps?). I hope my sister is able to get some rest over the next few days. She is in the hospital for a couple of more days.

I am feeling a lot of mixed emotions. I am so happy for their new family but at the same time, it pains me that I won't get to meet him until May. Being 3000 miles away makes it so hard. I was looking at the pictures of him today and had a hard time not crying because not only is he the most precious, beautiful baby I have ever seen, but because my sister and her husband look so amazingly happy and at peace. I wish I could be there to meet him!

Seeing pictures of that sweet baby remind me that I am going to be a mommy in the next couple of months. Of course, my baby won't be nearly as cute as Greyson! It's hard to top a baby that looks exactly like my sister and brother did when they were born!

Friday, November 20, 2009

It's a Good Day!

Today is a good day. Correction, GREAT day! I woke up in an amazing mood. I knew my sister was going to have her baby today. She is 8 days overdue and her and her OB decided to induce today.

I got a couple of updates throughout the day. Two hours ago, I last got an update saying she had been given the okay to push. Eeeeek! I could be an aunt already!

Plus, I had a doctor's appointment today. It was a really good appointment. First off, I do not have GD! That is such a huge relief off my shoulders. My levels were really low so I am not sure why they were so dang high before. This time, after an hour of drinking the glucose, my level was 120. That is 40 points less than the first test!

Second, I only gained three pounds between appointments. My diet and exercise plan must be working.

Third, I asked my doctor how my baby was positioned. He was able to tell that our little guy is head down. That makes complete sense to me since he has been kicking me pretty high up (near my ribs) all day. I know that he will move again, but it's fun to know where his head and butt were.

Like I said, it's a great day! I can't wait to hear if my nephew has been born. I am so excited for my sister. She and her husband went through about three years of fertility treatments, so they deserve to meet their miracle.

Push Becky push!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

GD Hell

GD stands for gestational diabetes if you didn't already know that. Last week, I went in for my one hour glucose tolerance test. I figured I would pass with no problem since I had fasted since the night before. No problem!

I called my doctor on Tuesday since I hadn't heard my results, and guess what? BIG FAT FAIL. I failed miserably. 162 and my doctor likes to see the results at 140. Soooo, time for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test.

Here is what that entails:

* Fasting for twelve hours prior (no problem)
* Blood sugar check first thing in the morning to see what your fasting level is (no problem)
* Drinking the lovely orange drink in five minutes. Twice the glucose from the one hour (gross!)
* Three more blood sugar checks. One at one hour after drinking, the second two hours after, the third three hours after (a pain).

Normally, this wouldn't be a huge deal. However, I couldn't take my anti-nausea medication this morning. Plus, you can't eat or drink anything other than water until after the last draw. Ugh. And you can't leave. So, I was sitting out in the lab waiting room for three hours. I brought homework to pass the time.

I have no idea what my results are. Quite honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if I had GD. Considering how much I love Thanksgiving and how much I am looking forward to it, I wouldn't be surprised. I won't be able to eat a darn thing other than turkey. I figure if I do have GD, I will boycott Thanksgiving. What could be worse than watching your entire family eat delicious, delicious pie, sweet potatoes and stuffing while I can't have any? Seriously, that would be torture to me.

So, on top of the diet that I am already on, I might have to alter it again. All I know is that with GD you have to severely limit your carb intake. I can do it, but boy, will I be happy when this little guy is born!

I should know my results on Monday. I know it's not the end of the world, but for someone that hasn't had the easiest pregnancy, it would just be yet another thing I have to worry about.

I will stay positive.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Call the Wahhhmbulance

Because I am whiny. I might be considered ungrateful but I really, truly do not feel well. There are days that I feel great, but today is not one of them. I woke up with stomach issues (read: Bathroom every few minutes) and I called in sick to work. There goes one extra day at home with my baby.

Not only does my hip hurt like a bitch even though I sleep with a pregnancy pillow, I STILL have morning sickness. Yes, I know I take medication, but it's annoying. I sometimes will forget and my body lets me know right away. "Hmm, why do I feel nauseous? Oh that's because it's 9:00 and I forgot to take my pill at 8:00".

I have the ocassional heartburn, which is tolerable. I can deal with that.

What I can't deal with: Feeling like my stomach is going to explode. My stomach is literally hard as a rock. I don't think it's Braxton Hicks contractions because it's lasted all day. All day I can't get comfortable. All day I need to move every five minutes because I can hardly breathe. All day I am up off the couch and trying to breathe even though it hurts.

So, besides the excruciating hip pain that lasts all day, the morning sickness and the incredibly hard belly, I'm fine.

Oh, and did I mention that I am hungry All.The.Time? Damn diet.

I did my gestational diabetes test on Friday. And, even though I consider myself intelligent, I screwed up the instructions. I woke up early on Friday, showered and got ready so I can get to the lab shortly after 8:00. I was told to drink the lovely orange beverage within five minutes and then race to the lab to ensure I would get there within an hour. So I did. I chugged the orange beverage (which tastes like flat orange soda, three times as sugary with a chemical aftertaste), drove to the lab and was there at 8:10.

What they didn't tell me was that they don't draw your blood until an hour after you drank the beverage. Greaaaat. So, I had to wait until close to 9:00 to have my blood drawn. Meanwhile, I haven't eaten anything and it was time for my morning pills, which I could not take.

Finally, after almost losing the contents of my very empty stomach, I was brought back. After five (FIVE!) vials of blood were drawn, I was on my way out. I was home within fifteen minutes and finally got something to eat.

Did I pass? I have no idea. I haven't heard. I suppose my doctor will go over the results with me at my appointment on the 20th.

So, there is my whining for the day. Yes, I am extremely happy for this baby. I thank God every day for my son. But, I feel like crud sometimes. The good news is that tomorrow is another day. I will (hopefully) feel better.