Welcome to the Third Trimester!

It is hard for me to believe, but I am officially now in my third trimester! In 12 more weeks my son will be here, and I feel like I am nowhere near ready for him, at least materials wise. I need his bassinet still, and a lot more clothes then I already have, plus the essentials like diapers and wipes. But I have to keep telling myself to just take it easy and that by the time he is here, everything he needs will be here too, and to just pace myself. I am just getting so excited, but more nervous as well. What has been keeping me up at night, besides the aching back and the baby dance party in my belly, is my thoughts of, "Oh my God, he has to come out!!!!" I have read so many baby books, and read up on labor and delivery, but I know when it actually comes time for me to go through it, everything I have read will go right out the window and I'll just do whatever I need to do to make sure he comes into the world safe and healthy.

Today was my 28 week prenatal visit and we had another growth ultrasound (pictures to be coming soon). He is at 2.6 pounds and the doctor says he is healthy and on schedule. We were able to try another shot at the 3D/4D ultrasound and we were able to get a little better picture of his face, but he wouldn't get into position so we could see his face straight on, and then he kept putting his hand and arm in his face. I can't believe how big he has gotten from the first ultrasound we had done at 8 weeks, and I can't believe he is going to have more room to grown when it seems so cramped in there already!!

The only trouble I had run into lately with the pregnancy is that my arthritis flared up twice in a week while I was at work, and I had to go home to rest. I told the Dr. and she wrote me a note for my manager stating that she wants me to work no more then 20 hours a week, instead of the 30+ I have been. She said she wants me to be able to get more rest, get my feet up more since I've been having some foot swelling, and says flares may be common because of my body working overtime these last three months, but she doesn't want to see me on bed rest because I work too much and don't get enough rest. I was actually wanting to take down my hours anyway because I am getting more tired easily, so this isn't upsetting to me. Other then that, though, my health is great, and from now I will be going to the Dr. every two weeks until my 9th month, when I go every week.

On another good note, Phil had an interview for a job today at my work and got the job!! I haven't really blogged about it, but he was laid off from his job at his school, and trying to find work has been hard, but they are starting to hire at my work after having a large hiring freeze, so he starts on Thursday. It will be nice working with him, we won't be working the same area, but we'll see each other a lot.

Well, I'll be uploading the newest ultrasound pics soon and will get those posted soon. Until then...I'll still be puffy and preggo! Hahahaha....

Meet my son......

John Phillip Fry!

Oh yes, the infamous penis picture.

His right arm

His profile

His right leg


What a little heartbreaker!



Mom's little man

2nd Trimester Update

Wow, it seems like things have been so busy around here that I just haven't had the time to update the 'ol blog!! Mostly, I've just been working like crazy. Luckily my new manager is giving me almost the maximum hours that I can work a week, which is great seeing as my paychecks are finally getting bigger, and also because I need to have 1,250 worked hours under my belt to qualify for FMLA leave (which for me is maternity leave), and I should have that many by October.

Now on to the update: I am 19 weeks ago, so in another week I will be halfway through this pregnancy and I have to say, so far this has been really easy. Of course, it isn't always a piece of cake, but compared to some of the horror stories I have been hearing from different people since become pregnant, things for baby and I are going very well. I am finding that I am not as tired as I was in the beginning, but I still do rest a lot because when I am active, especially when I am at work all day, there is nothing better then coming home and getting in bed, and sometimes getting a wonderful foot and back massage from Phil. And I am finally starting to feel the baby move!! I feel little flutters every now and again, sometimes it feels like popcorn popping, and yesterday at work it felt like it was doing somersaults. I know that in the next coming weeks I am going to start feeling it on a regular basis, and those little flutters are going to turn into punches and kicks, and honestly, I can't wait.

The biggest thing coming up is on the 23rd, when we will be having our level 2 ultrasound, where they check the anatomy of the baby and we should also be able to find out the sex of the baby, as long as it doesn't act shy and decide to keep its legs closed, like it did with the last ultrasound we had. I can't wait to find out what we are having, and get to see how much our baby has grown.

12th Weeks Prenatal Visit

Today we had our 12th week prenatal visit, where we had an ultrasound done, along with checking the results of the blood work I did last week, to find the results of the first trimester Down Syndrome screening. Of course, I've been worrying about this for the past three weeks, like I worry about everything else, but I had a feeling that everything was going to be fine. The ultrasound went well, and we were able to see the baby up close and even see its facial profile and it was moving around so much. The doctor came in after the ultrasound with a smile on his face and said he has never seen better test results, they are so good that I have a 99.9% chance of having a healthy baby!! He saw nothing wrong with the ultrasound and said it is a strong baby with a heartbeat of 171 beats per minute. I can't tell you how relieved we were to get such wonderful results. We were both feeling sick to our stomach waiting for the doctor to come in and I told Phil, "Welcome to parenthood".

And...as promised..here are ultrasound pics of our sweet pea!

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I might explode!

So I've come to the realization that it is time for me to look into getting some bigger pants, this realization happening when I have been discovering that it is getting harder to move around and breathe while in my work pants and once I get home, the best feeling in the world is getting out of those pants and into something roomy. I guess I never thought that at 10 weeks I'd been needed to start maternity clothes shopping, but I am just so bloated and fuller feeling around my waist. I am definitely not complaining though, I love being pregnant, so far everything is still going well, the queasy feeling is really starting to go away, and now all I am really left with is incredible fatigue and a full waist. And I have already gone up two bra sizes, which my husband isn't complaining about, but I'd appreciate more if they didn't hurt all the damn time!

Hormones are something else I am still getting used to. I've never been on who really cries over a lot of things, unless it is something important to me, or my feelings have really been hurt. But now, I cry at the most stupidest things, like because we ran out of soap, or because a customer borrowed my pen and didn't give it back. And then I turn into raging bitch the next second, usually yelling at my poor husband about something, which causes him to get on the defensive, but I think he's starting to learn that I really have no control over these things.

Other then that, things are going really well, and I can't believe we are at 10 weeks already!! A few more weeks and we'll be out of the first trimester and from what I heard things get a little easier, such as the morning sickness subsides and you start getting more energy. I am just looking forward to our next appointment in two weeks, another ultrasound of the sweet pea. I'll need to get my ultrasound pics scanned into the computer so I can share!

Hi Mom!!

Yesterday was my second prenatal appointment, which included the lovely physical exam, ladies, you know you gotta love that exam! Luckily, that didn't last too long and it was on to the good stuff....another ultrasound!!

This time they did an external ultrasound instead of the internal and right away there was our little sweet pea, and it had grown so much in just the past week, and this week we were able to see its heart beating!! It was so cute and beating so fast, 173 beats per minute, so we have a strong baby so far. It was also such a relief to see that heartbeat, I knew everything was going well from last week's ultrasound, but just actually getting to see its heart beating for the first time, it was truly a miracle. Then, the baby decided it wanted to say hi, the tech said look, there is an arm bud, and you could see it sticking up, and then she said, looks like they are moving for you too, and the baby started wiggling!! I knew it, the kid is a ham already...

I also had to get blood work done, 7 vials they took from me, and I had to drink the lovely sugar drink when I got there for the glucose testing. I swear it was like flat orange soda with a big bite to it. Not something a preggo in her first trimester really wants to try and get down, but I did it as fast as possible. So hopefully everything comes back good there.

Next appointment is going to be on April 22nd, when I am at 12 weeks (we are 9 weeks today!), and we will have another ultrasound, and also 8 days before the appointment I need to follow this kit they gave me, where I prick my finger and send in the blood and they will have it by my appointment time, and those results plus the ultrasound will be a first trimester screening for Down Syndrome. Great, another thing I need to worry about, but I have faith that everything is going to be OK.

Oh yes, I've always realized I know need to get maternity pants and a bigger bra (I've already gone up a size, and now this one is getting too tight). Phil isn't complaining though...Hahahahaha!!!

First Prenatal Appointment

Last Tuesday was our first prenatal appointment with the new high risk doctor that my regular OB/GYN referred me to, and let's just say I was beyond nervous. I got there and filled out the mountain of paperwork and did the customary pee in the cup, which they say I will do every time I come in for a visit (luckily preggo's have to pee all the time!). Finally, it was time for me to go back and get our first ultrasound.

This ultrasound was the type they do internally, because the baby is so small, and I've had this done before, so I knew what to expect. The room was so nice, with a huge flat screen on the wall so we could so the pictures without having to stare at the machine. And there it was, our little sweet pea! So small!! I thought I was heading into my 9th week, but she said I was actually 7 weeks and 5 days at that time, which I assumed I was a week behind anyway. And the heartbeat was 153 beats per minute, which she said was very strong, and everything looked very good, and she told me to stop worrying. She said now I just need to get to 12 weeks, through my first trimester, and then she said I'd feel a lot better. But everything looked good and healthy, and that was all I cared about.

After the ultrasound and the pictures which Phil quickly took from me because he was so proud, we met with one of the doctor's (there will be 7 doctor's who work in the office and she said I'll get a chance to meet all of them in my upcoming appointments), and she really had no concerns about my arthritis or being in a chair, except for if I have a flare, in which she said just to call them and they can help with some meds. But other then that, she said I can have a normal delivery as long as everything keeps going well, and just to rest as much as I can and keep things low-stress.

So next week I go in for blood work and glucose testing, and then a gyno exam with the nurse practitioner. I am very happy with this new doctor's office, and the other great thing is that I will be delivering at Banner Desert, which has always been my hospital of choice, because they have they best labor and delivery department and neonatal care unit. And private rooms!! haha!

I'll keep ya posted...and I'll get those first ultrasound pics scanned soon so I can show them off!!

Announcing...Baby Fry!

I've been sort of quiet about this, but Phil and I have been trying for a few months to have a child. We feel that it is something we are ready for and really wanted to have before we started getting too old for it. On March 3rd, we got our wish when the test came back positive!

I went to the dr. on March 5th and had it confirmed, and as of right now I am 8 weeks and 3 days along. I put up a baby tracker on the right side of the page here, so every time you check out my blog you can see how far along we are. I also went to my first prenatal appointment last week, but they told me that I need to see a high-risk dr. because of my arthritis and because I am in a wheelchair, and pregnant women tend to get blood clots in their legs, and being wheelchair bound can be something which may or may not happen to me. I am feeling fine, but the dr. just wants to make sure I get the best care. I don't look at it as a bad thing, because I want us both to be as healthy as we can be.

Morning sickness is in fully swing, but thank goodness I have not thrown up...yet! lol I've come close though, and I seem to be in a constant state of queasy in the mornings and afternoons, but it eases up at night, which is when I feel the most hungry and have cravings. And my breasts are the most tender things in the world, and I could just sleep all day! But I am feeling fine besides that, just taking it as easy as I can.

Hopefully I will be able to get into this new dr. this week, and maybe even get my first ultrasound pics and hear the heartbeat for the first time! We are so very excited!

Peanut

It is truly amazing how your life can change in an instant. How when your least expecting it, things happen in your life that make can either make your world a better place. For me, there are two instances in which I can look back and say my life changed in that instant. The first was the first day Phil and I met, in person. The minute I looked at him and he smiled at me, I knew my life would forever be different and better because he was a part of it and I was right, life hasn't been the same since that day, and I wouldn't change it for the world. The second time that happened to me was Oct. 24, 2007, when the pregnancy test came up positive.

That's right, blog friends, Kimbo is expecting a little one. My cycle was supposed to start on Oct. 23rd, and it isn't rare for me to either be early, or be late. But something felt different this month, and Phil ran off to get me a test, even though I figured I should wait a week before doing so. I took the test, which frankly is sort of degrading, sitting there peeing on a damn stick, but I did it and immediately a plus sign started forming. I sat there, shaking, not believing my eyes. It wasn't a faint line, it was a very visible "Your knocked up" plus sign, and I took the test out to Phil. He looked at it and I saw his eyes water and a shocked, yet happy look on his face and he got up and started dancing around, calling all his family and friends. I called just my mom, and decided to wait to a week and take another test, just to be sure.

A week later, on a Wednesday morning, I took another test, with the same result. It was official. I know people say it is bad luck to tell people during your first trimester, but I am excited and I want to share my news with the people I care about most, because if God forbid something does happen (which I am praying it doesn't), it is those people who I want at my side supporting me.

It seems that there are some people who are not happy about this news. I understand the concern over money and the fact that right now Phil's job isn't always steady, such that happens when working in the construction business. I know some would have liked to see us wait and be married for a year before starting a family, and although that is ideal, sometimes things happen. And I know others worry about my arthritis and whether I am going to be able to care for my child once it is born. And I appreciate every one's worries and concerns, but I wish people seemed to be a little more happy for us. Having a child is truly a blessing in my eyes, and something that I have always wanted. As far back as I can remember it has been my dream to have a family of my own, and I know that not only will I be a good mother, but that Phil is going to be an excellent father. It is at this time that although I know people have concerns, I wish I could get a little more support and happiness and well-wishes, instead of hearing nothing but negative comments, or no comments at all.

At this moment, according to the first day of my last period, I am 6 weeks and 2 days pregnant. My first prenatal visit is Nov. 15th, at which we will have our first ultrasound and get to hear the heartbeat. I am doing pretty well, my breasts are very very tender, and I have had some nausea, and my sense of smell is definitely heightend. And my boobs seems to get bigger by the day (which really isn't a bad thing), and I can cry at the drop of the hat, or turn into the biggest bitch with no notice (which is not a good thing). I am also really tired all the time. Some days I find I have the energy to clean up around here, while other days, like today, I just feel like napping all day long and doing absolutely nothing.

Phil is really getting into the whole thing. There is a website called www.babycenter.com, which when you sign up, it will send you an update each week telling your what week you are in, how your baby is developing that week, and what is going on with you. Each Saturday we get the new email update, and he will sit right next to me with his hand on my tummy while I read what's going on with the development, and also show him the picture they have of what the baby looks like that week. He sits there with a big grin on his face and tears in his eyes. He is a proud and happy daddy already, and I feel so very lucky to have him and have him be so involved.

Now, you might be wondering about the subject line of "Peanut". Well, since it is too soon to tell if it is a boy or a girl, I've been calling the baby Peanut, and Phil has now started calling the baby Peanut as well.

Well, enough of my ramblings for today. I know I haven't blogged in awhile, but it has been quite a busy time around here, and I haven't been online as much as I usually am, but now that things are getting back to normal around here I will be back to regular blogging, and video blogging as well. Until next time, bye blog friends!