32 Week Appointment & Funny's from Boston!

So I had an early 32 week appointment today because I haven't felt the best this week.  I have had a lot of pressure and have had frequent contractions (no pain) even when i'm taking it easy.  I have also been blessed with some sciatic nerve issues which sends a shooting pain up and down my right side.. so it's just been a rough week.  I am not dialating yet (thank goodness) but the baby's head is real low which could be the reason for all of the discomfort recently.  I measure at 31 weeks and only gained a pound in 2 weeks, so really haven't grown all that much..despite me feeling like I should measure at 40 weeks!  :)  They did have me hooked up to the fetal monitor for a bit to make sure the baby wasn't under stress and that checked out ok.  The heart beat was good, even during the contractions, and the baby was very active, so just another check up in 2 weeks.  If I notice a lot of contractions i'm supposed to lay down and drink plenty of water.  If that doesn't help any, and I have more than 4/hour I am supposed to call in even if it's after hours.  My blood sugars have checked out ok again this week so still no further treatment in that department. So that's the baby update.  I really hope I start to feel a little more comfortable or this is going to be a long 8 weeks.  And if the baby's activity level in my stomache is any indication to how it will act when it arrives.. we will have our hands full!  There are days I feel like the baby has 6 arms or that there are 10 babies flipping around in my stomache!  CRAZY!
I'll go ahead and end with a few funny/memorable little conversations from Boston recently!  This kid just cracks me up!

The other day he came up from the basement with tears in his eyes and was 'fake' crying. 
Me:  What's wrong buddy!
Boston: I'm gonna miss you when i'm at college mommy. (sad face)
Me:  Honey that's a long time from now.  You have to be 18 to go to college and your only 4 now so try not to worry about it!  And when you are 18 your not going to think i'm cool anymore anway.
Boston:  You'll still be cool mommy.  And i'll miss you even when i'm 18.

Boston:  Mommy, I should drink that Scooby Doo stuff for Marie  (referring to his mouth wash!) 

Me:  Mommy will pray for your cold to get better ok buddy.
Boston:  Thanks mom.  I really 'preciate' that.

Boston:  Did you know this water goes to the ocean?  (as he's sitting on the toliet)
Me:  Oh really..I didn't know that.
Boston:  Yep, and the sharks eat our poop!

Boston:  Mom can I give Jaxon a treat?
Me:  Sure
Boston:  Ok, Jaxon.  Sit.  Sit.  Sit down Jaxon.  Siiiiittttttt.  (repeat for a minute)  Ok, fine..  don't SIT.  (and he threw the treat at him!)

And here are a few pictures from last Saturday morning.  He played in his fort for hours! 

What a day! This will be a long one friends!

Let's start with the good news!  Five years ago today Derek and I were first married!  Regardless of where our first few years of marriage took us, this 'anniversary' is still a day I feel is worth celebrating and remembering.  Derek and I had been discussing lately what date we would technically call our anniversary..but we really never decided so I guess we'll just celebrate both!  Derek's response to this:  "Most men can't even remember ONE anniversay, how in the world am I going to remember TWO?!" 

The second bit of good news.. my appointment today at the Diabetes Clinic went well!  My blood sugars are great, and I finally figured out a way to get my first number of the day below their range, which was my only trouble in this whole diagnosis!  The nurse looked over my food journal and my numbers are said to me "You are NOT a normal gestational diabetic!"  She explained that some of the things I eat (for example an apple and yogurt for breakfast) would make a normal person's blood sugar SKY ROCKET.  My blood sugar level after that breakfast was one of my lowest #'s! Also, they normally encourage a fairly good bedtime snack later in the evening so you have a full stomache through the night and don't get hungry.  (A few carbs with some protein)  Me (the non normal diabetic!) has to eat an early bedtime snack!  I still try to eat a carb or two and some protein but I have found that if I eat my snack after 7:30 or 8:00 that my numbers are too high the next morning.  Most people don't even eat supper until that time so all of my meals are at goofy times.  Breakfast around 7:30, mid-morning snack around 9:30, Lunch about 11, Afternoon snack about 3 and Supper by 5:30 or 6 and bedtime snack eaten before 8.  I have also had a few mornings of ketones in my urine, which is another test I have to do each morning.  Normally keytones in your urine mean you didn't eat enough carbs the day prior. As the nurse looked at my food journal on the days before my keytone readings I had eaten plenty of carbs, and on the days I didn't get a keytone reading in my urine she would have said it was because I hadn't eaten enough carbs!  Sorry this is probably really confusing for some of you...

The nurse just said to keep doing what i've been doing because I have found things that work for me, so that was encouraging.  I will continue checking my blood sugar 4 times a day throughout the rest of my pregnancy, regardless of how my #'s look, however I no longer have to meet with them weekly.  The nurse will just call me on a weekly basis and get my numbers over the phone.  As long as things look good there will be no diet changes, insulin shots or further appointments with the diabetic clinic!  WOO HOOOOOO!!!!! 

And now for the not so good news for the day...  I found out at work today that as of March 1st my hours will be changing.  Right now I have a pefect schedule for our family and work Monday thru Friday 8-12.  These hours work great because Boston is in school in the morning, and then we have the afternoons at home together.  Me and another part time gal in our department are being asked to job share a full time position rather than both working part time schedules that suite us.  She also has kids in school and daycare to worry about, so it may be tricky to come up with a schedule that will work for the both of us.  We do have the opportunity to try working it out amongst ourselves, but if that doesn't happen they will come up with a schedule for us.  We will either go with it, or we will be without a job.  It's a lot to think about and i'm just really disappointed because our family's schedule was working out so well. We had also already brainstormed about life with 2 kids and how my work schedule and daycare and Boston's school schedule would work out.  Please just say a prayer that my co-worker and I will get something figured out that will work well for the both of us! 

Happy weekend blogger friends! 

Baby Update-30 weeks!

Well, it's been a frustrating few weeks of being pregnant but i'm trying to stay positive as my troubles could be so much worse.  I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes around my 28 week appointment so was referred to the Avera Diabetes Clinic for further education.  Derek went with me to the 2 1/2 hour appointment last Thursday afternoon.  I was given a blood sugar meter and have been checking my blood sugar 4 times a day with a finger poke. We were given a lot of information about GD and met with a dietician about what foods to eat/not eat to help level out my numbers.  My diet is actually fine, and none of my favorite things were taken away from me, but believe it or not, I don't eat often enough!  I have never been a big breakfast eater and could normally go from supper or a bed time snack until 12 or 1 the next day without eating anything.  I guess the coffee I drink each morning just isn't enough :)  I've now been forcing myself to eat 6 different times a day.  It's been going ok, and all of my numbers are below where they should be except for my very first # of the day, prior to eating anything.  I need to be between 60-90 in the morning's and my numbers have been 94, 92, 91 and finally today it was 84!  I've been switching up my bed time snack trying to find the perfect foods so that my #'s would be where they needed to be.  Last night I had some beef jerkey and a cheese stick (i need the protein) and that seemed to do the trick!  We'll try it again tonight and see if I can get below 90 two days in a row!

I had my 30 week appointment with Dr. Scott today and everything is looking good.  At my 28 week appointment I was measuring 2 weeks ahead, but today I measure right at 30 weeks so i'm back on schedule.  I am down 4 pounds since my appointment 2 weeks ago but Dr Scott didn't seem concerned at all.  I was curious to know what my weight was at this point when I was pregnant with Boston so the nurse looked back in my chart.  I actually weigh  9 pounds less at this point in my pregnancy than I did the first time around.  Not that it really means anything but it was fun to compare, and reassure me that i'm not as huge as I feel :)  Dr Scott was pleased with my blood sugar #'s so hopefully the whole GD issue is a minor thing and doesn't give me a lot of trouble these last 10 weeks.  I will be getting another ultrasound around 36 weeks to meausure the baby more closely.  Some women who do not keep their blood sugars under control are more likely to have bigger baby's so they want to measure the baby with an ultrasound to make sure there are no issues there.  If they would be concerned about the baby's size a C-section may have to be scheduled.  Dr Scott said this is a big "if" so i'm not worrying at this point.  I am scheduled to meet with the Diabetes nurse on Friday this week, and then again with Dr Scott in 2 weeks.  I will update more about the prgnancy after these appointments! 

30 week belly picture!

A 4 1/2 year olds 'Big Boy' Dreams!

Today Boston spent the afternoon with Grandpa Ron at the Swap Meet in Sioux Falls.  4 Wheelers, Sprint Cars and Go-Karts, all the things a little boy dreams of having when he gets older, and gets a job to support the expense!  They had a fun time together.  Boston has been playing with his matchbox cars and toy 4-wheelers ever since he got home.  The little miniature versions will have to do for a few more years!  You will see from the pictures that Boston was ALL smiles.  This is right up his alley, and Grandpa's!

 Grandpa Ron has been telling Boston for a few years now that when he turns 5 he gets a Go-Kart for his birthday.  I hope you've been saving your money Grandpa, because this kid turns 5 in 5 months and he hasn't forgotten! 

 HA!  $4000... ya, Boston is going to be needing a few jobs! 

 Did I mention earlier there were also GIRLS at the Swap Meet?! This picture is a little blurry, so either Grandpa was a bit 'nervous' around the girl and didn't have a steady hand, or he was so embarassed to be taking a picture of her he had to stand 1/2 mile away and zoom in too much!  :)    Grandpa tried to get Boston to take a picture with the girls but he was too shy.  He said "I didn't want you to be mad Mama!" 

A weekend away.

This weekend we made a trip to Minneapolis.  Derek's good friend Aaron Oberloh lost his mother very unexpectedly on Monday and her funeral was Saturday morning in New Brighton, MN.  We were brave..or crazy.. and decided to leave Sioux Falls as scheduled on Friday after Derek got off of work.  I love Derek dearly, but he is very...um what's the word i'm looking for.. unorganized and too carefree at times.  I called him a few times earlier in the afternoon asking him if he had been watching the weather and his reply was "Nope.  Why is it bad?"   He was clueless to the weather reports of the day, and the accidents all over the interstate.  I did watch the 5 o'clock news and didn't hear mention of no travel advised so went along with Derek's decision to leave as planned.  We made it to Worthington, MN just fine.. and then my blood pressure started to rise and my rants at Derek got more frequent and louder.  The stretch from Worthington to Jackson was absolutely unsafe.  We went very slow and Derek did drive very cautiously, but it was still crazy that we were on the road with a 4 year old and me being 29 weeks pregant!    We saw several cars in the ditch, semi's in the ditch, a truck and trailor that flew past us at one point ended up in the ditch 5 miles down the road..  I was a nervous wreck and was determined we were stopping in Fairmont, MN and getting a hotel for the night.  About 10 miles before Fairmont the wind died down and the visibility was 100 times better so we grabbed some food and decided to keep driving. We coasted the rest of the way to our hotel without any road troubles and my blood pressure returned to normal :) 

Saturday morning we got up and headed to New Brighton for the funeral.  It was a very nice service and a very full church.  We didn't get a lot of time to talk to Aaron after the service but we were so glad we could be there for him during such a difficult time.  After the funeral we went to lunch with some friends, and then headed to our hotel for an afternoon of swimming and lounging!  Our friends Tyler & Courtney Schelhaas live in the cities so Saturday night we headed to their house.  It was nice to visit with them and finally see where they've lived the last 3 years!  Boston and their son Brody had a lot of fun playing together! 

This morning we got up bright and early for more swimming and then breakfast buffet before we hit the road for home.  We knew Sioux Falls was going to be getting a blizzard again so wanted to get home before all the snow came.  Here are a few pictures of our weekend away.

Breakfast in Bed!  He said he wishes we could live in the hotel forever!

We came home to a special delivery. The baby stroller/car seat finally came!  Boston tested it out and even asked me to push him around the house!  He is so excited to meet his little sibling!! 

 

The Goodnight Song

One of the songs that I remember singing as a child when I was at Bible Camp was the 'Goodnight Song'. I modified the words a bit and now sing it to Boston ever night at bedtime.  He loves it and always asks me to sing it 3 times.  Lately he's been changing the words and singing it to me, the baby and his cousin Jeremiah that he loves and misses so much.  Tonight he started singing it to Jeremiah in the car so I told him when we got home we'd get a video of it and show it to Chels, Tim & Jeremiah.  Here is Boston singing the 'Goodnight Song' to Jeremiah:

Goodnight Jeremiah, Goodnight and take your rest

Lay your sweet head upon the Saviors chest

We all love you yeah but Jesus loves you best

So I wish you Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight! 

Happy New Year!!

It's hard to believe 2010 has come and gone.  We had a BIG year!  Here are some of our hi-lites!

• We finished our basement!
• Derek and I got remarried in May!
• Because of Derek's success at Billion GMC I was able to go from working full time (40+ hours a week as a supervisor) to part time! (20 hours a week with every afternoon off...lots of pool time in the summer!)    
• We found out in July we are expecting baby #2!
• We went on a family vacation in August to Milwaukee, WI where Boston attended his first MLB game (Go Brewers!) & Derek got to attend his first ever PGA Golf Tournament! 
• Derek and I both celebrated our 30th Birthday's with family and friends!

2011 will be another big year for us but we are ready!  In just a few months our family of 3 will be a family of 4!  That in itself will be an adjustment for everyone involved :)  We are overly excited to meet this little miracle but do realize it will take time to adjust to a newborn in the house again.  Life has been quite simple for us these past few years as Boston is very independent and is easily self entertained with his super hero's and oodles of other toys!  It's been easy for us to jump in the car at the spur of the moment and head to the grocery store, go out to eat or to a movie or pack our pool bag and head to Wild Water West for an entire afternoon.  This will all change when there is a baby in the mix, but I know we will all adjust..in time!  Boston will be 5 this June and at times I feel like this is my first pregnancy all over again.  I find myself worrying about all the same things I did when we were awaiting Boston's arrival.  How often will the baby need to eat, and how much?  What do we have to get yet before the baby comes?  How will labor go? etc. And our biggest worry is:  What if this baby is colicky like Boston was?! I know it's silly to worry too much about these things because it'll all be ok...even if the baby screams for 4 straight hours at the same time every day!   
We hope you all had a wonderful 2010 and that you and your families were Blessed just as our family was.  We pray that 2011 is even more incredible for all of you! 

Boston is really into guitars lately so I got out my moms old guitar from the storage room.  My mom bought this guitar when she was in high school!  Boston had a blast playing with it and making up his own songs!

 Santa brought a really neat (and messy!) Play Doh Supermarket Store for Boston.  He has a lot of fun making all different kinds of foods. Chocolate ice cream cone or popsicle anyone?! 

 Don't worry, he isn't drinking wine!  It's "kid beer" (sparkling cider) in a wine glass!  Boston has a thing with wine glasses.  The other day he wanted his OJ in a wine glass with his breakfast!