28 weeks

Hi Joseph!
That looks so funny because I am so used to everything being "Joey Joey Joey."  It is a big day today, buddy!  You are 28 weeks and Dr. Bonehead said he always relaxes at 28 weeks.  We visited him today and I guess we had good news and some not so good news.  But, the bottom line is that you are fine!

Good news for mommy - I lost 3 lbs since my last appointment!  WOOHOO.  At our last appointment, we had gained 10 so there is definitely no harm in dropping a couple of those.  They don't really get excited when you lose weight and you are pregnant.  They would like me to remain the same rather than lose.  I would be so excited to deliver you at this weight but I know we are going to gain at least 5 more lbs just from your growth.  Speaking of which, you are a whopping 3lbs 10 oz now.  Big fat pig  :)

We got to see you on the ultrasound and you are getting so big.  Some of your bones & even your head are measuring 4 weeks ahead.  That means you are a big boy and hopefully are going to be tall.  Your belly was still measuring big so that means we need to watch our sugars more carefully.  Bonehead said "He is a big boy."  I think it was a blessing and a curse - we want you to be tall and healthy but we don't want you to have extra belly fat because of my diabetes.  They checked out your heart and brain really thoroughly and it appeared like everything was all good.

Then, we got news that I am "spilling ketones".  What that means is that I am burning stored fat rather than burning food that I am eating.  There are several potential reasons for this - I could be dehydrated, I could not be eating the right food or not eating enough.  I definitely know I was extra thirsty this morning.  But, what I think happened was that I ate TOO good last night.  I had dinner around 6:15 and my only snack was 3 strawberries when your brother had his snack.  So, I ate TOO little and my body was burning fat.  You would think this would be great news - I kept my sugars in line and had the potential to lose a pound or two  :)  But, apparently, there is a really fine line between keeping my sugars in line and getting enough carbs to fuel us.  I was a bit panicked at the appointment because I didn't understand what they were saying but now that I researched it, I think it is a coincidence.  But, I do have to do a daily test to make sure that they are no longer "spilling."

I had a few questions for the doc while we were there and I am not sure if I got the answers I was hoping for  :)  I asked if you continue to be big, if he will take you early.  It sounds like he is pretty set on 39 weeks exactly.  He is not worried about you being big since we already know you are going to have c-section. We don't have to worry about you fitting down the birth canal.  So, unless my sugars cause us to have significant health problems or you decide to come on your own, then we are for sure a June 23rd delivery.  We can schedule the time on May 23.  We are hoping to get a primo time slot!

I also asked him if I could watch you be born.  Apparently, this is not a common question because people don't like to see the cut/blood.  That stuff doesn't bother me but I would really like to see you lifted out.  He didn't know the answer and said it was up to the OR people if they had mirrors or whatever.  I also asked if we had to use that little cloth on my tummy with the opening for the incision.  I have to do that as it prevents infection.  I hate it because I am allergic to the adhesive and my tummy itches for weeks.  But, better to itch than get an infection.

I think that is about it buddy!  You are healthy, you have a lot of hair already, you let us get another good photo and you are still moving around.  Luckily, since you are getting bigger, you have less room and it is less painful for me.  We will see you again in 3 weeks.  We will be 31 weeks along then!!

Here's you at 28 weeks.  We are just plain shocked by how similar you look to Elijah!

 Since I actually had my hair combed and make up on, I told daddy to take a 28 week photo.  I have to be honest, I sure feel a ton bigger in the belly than this picture portrays.

Sunday whining!

Hi Joey,
Not a ton to share since our 25 week appointment but I was updating your brother's blog so figured I would pop over.  You are still moving up a storm - I just can't remember Elijah moving so much.  I wish you would move up a bit more so I would quit taking so many shots to my bladder  :)

I am starting to move into that whiney stage.  I am not sleeping well - on Friday morning, I was up at 3:30 and didn't go back to sleep until 10 am.  I took the day off work and figured I would sleep all day but I only got 2 hours in.  Sleep is hard to come by and that makes life tough because I know that when you get here, it will be harder to come by!

I am also starting to get more aches and pains.  My back is really hurting and my hips are hurting.  I am not sure if it is you or just being out of shape/overweight.  But, either way, it is a major inconvenience  :)

I was having a lot of pain in my hands and feet from retaining water but that seems to have cleared up.  I cut back on my sunflower seed addiction and so the pressure went down a bit.

I had acupuncture on Friday and I thought of you the whole time.  You were kicking up a storm so I went to that happy place in my mind where we are going to the hospital to have you.  I hope things can be different than with Elijah - I hope you are in there cooking longer, I hope we are scheduled so we aren't exhausted and I hope I can immediately spend more time with you.  Come what may, I can't wait to meet you and love you up.

I guess I only have one more thing to tell you.  Daddy and I are going to look at swing sets today for you & Elijah.  I am trying to talk him into getting a really nice one because you guys will have a lot of years to use it.  But, it does appear that daddy & me don't have the same philosophy when it comes to spending money on our "money grubbing" children  :)  I hope I win!

Well, Joey, keep on kicking on in there!  I love to feel you moving all around and daddy has felt you a few times too.  Can't wait to see you again in 2 weeks or so.

Yay Joey!

Hi Baby!
We were so excited - we got to see you today!!  Not only were your regular ultrasounds so much clearer, we were able to see you on 3D.  You have grown into a big fat pig.  I can't believe how much you have grown since 21 weeks.  When we looked at our video from your 21 week appointment, almost all of your measurements were right at 21 weeks.  Now, you are 25 weeks old but your measurements are 27-28 weeks along.  This is good when it is your bones - we hope you are nice and tall.  But, this is bad when it is your belly because it means that my diabetes is not doing so well - we got a large adjustment in meds today.

We are cleared from Bonehead for another 3 weeks and he said that he will be so excited at that next appointment as his "whig out" period will be over.  28 weeks is his magical week.  For me, I am looking forward to 35 weeks but we will take everyday we can get.

I asked him what to expect as far as June goes.  He did not think he would be on vacation but I told him to check with his boss (wife) and get back with us.  He said that we will not go any earlier than 39 weeks (June 23).  I asked him if there was any negotiation to go on June 21 because we already had you scheduled for Kelley Ryden photos.  He was not impressed by my question and had no idea the magnitude of having free Kelley Ryden photos.  I told him that she was a nationally known photographer and he said he is a nationally known doctor who won't be delivering you any earlier than 39 weeks.  Haha.  So, assuming that we have no further health problems, we will schedule you to be born on 6-23-2011.

Thank you so much for being so good today!  It was so fun to see you.  Your daddy was so cute looking at the screen and he said you look just like your brother!  Can't wait to see you again in 3 weeks buddy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Love!

Registered

Hi Joey,
First of all, I have to tell you, I am sorry.  I was trying to go back through Elijah's pregnancy blog and find out what his measurements were as of a certain day so we could compare them to you.  I was reading my posts and marveling at my genius when I felt an overwhelming sadness because I am so lame with you.  I am sorry that your blog is so boring and I seem to have nothing good to share with you.  I am sorry that it seems I imparted all my worldly wisdom on your brother.  I am sorry that it really does seem to appear that you are already suffering from the 2nd child syndrome.  But, I can tell you that you are SO WANTED and LOVED and you will not feel anything less when you arrive here!  We can't wait to meet you, love you up and watch you grow.  I can't wait to see your 3d Ultrasound (hopefully Thursday) and see what you look like. I can't wait to hear your little cry when you are born in June.  I can't wait to see your little face and hear your noises.  I can't wait to smooch your little cheeks, nose, and toes. It just doesn't seem that way on your blog and I am sorry for that.

It is hard for me to imagine what you are going to look like.  We have nothing to compare you to except Elijah.  While I know this isn't the case, I just keep expecting you to be his twin.  Heck, you could come out with red hair but my mind is only prepped for you to be a spitting image of your brother because that is my only experience.  I wonder what your personality will be like.  Will you be active (like you are inside)? Will you be quiet?  Will you be outgoing?  Will you be ornery?  I don't think we will know the true answers to those for a few years but I can't wait to see each side of you.  Yes, I will warn you in advance that you are going to be compared to your brother.  But, it is only because that is our only experience.  So, it won't be a bad thing when we say "Well, Elijah hardly slept and Joey sleeps like a rock" - it is just what we know.

So, after getting that off my chest, I can move on with some daily things.  We have zoomed past 24 weeks and are moving into 25 weeks.  You are still moving up a storm and now, I can see my belly physically moving too.  Every time you move, I say "Hi Joey" or "Good Morning Joey" or "Oh, no, it is bedtime.  Go back to sleep Joey."  :)

Last week, we went to build a bear and made your special animal.  With the twins, we went and made them animals.  Then, we made one for Elijah too.  All 3 are in his room.  Now, we made one just for you.  But, you know what?  I think it is the most special of them all because it had 3 people's love it in - mine, your daddy's and Elijah's.  He helped make it just for you and as we put the little heart in we said "I love you Joey."  I will get you some pictures up soon.

Yesterday, we went to Target to register for you.  While heaven knows you don't need a whole lot, there are a few things we do need for you.  We won't have another shower and we won't expect any gifts for you but when we register, we get a coupon to buy everything on our registry.  So, we will save some cashola.  I did want a new little swing/chair for you and we will need a new car seat when you outgrow the infant carrier.  But, other than that, it was all little stuff.  It was more fun than when we registered for Elijah - that was more of a chore.  For you, it was more fun because we needed so little and we were more relaxed.  I did put some silly stuff on there - we would like to decorate your bathroom so we registered for Mickey Mouse bathroom stuff  :)

So buddy, that is about all that is new here.  We are still battling with the blood sugars daily and still counting down the days until June 21 when you will hopefully come (98 days - we are under 100!)  We are going to start working on getting your clothes sorted soon.  And, each day we are still praying that you (and Baby Heinrich/Mieke) are safe & healthy in there.

PS - In case you were wondering, you are a lot smaller than Elijah was.  At 21 weeks, you were 15 ounces.  At 22 weeks, he was 1 lb 6 oz (22 oz).  That is what I was looking for on his blog and it may be good news - maybe my sugars are better.  Or, maybe these last 4 weeks have been a HUGE growth spurt and we will find out Thursday that you are the big fat pig  :)

24 weeks

Hi Joey!
Well, today is a big day babycakes!  You are officially 24 weeks and that means you are officially "viable."  If you decided to kick your way out of there now, the doctors would try to save you.  With all our other babies, this was a day to kick our heels up and celebrate - we counted down to it.  With you, we have been so blissfully happy and uncomplicated that we haven't give it a whole lot of thought until recently.  With the cramping and contractions, we have recently been looking forward to this day.

I have to be honest with you buddy.  24 weeks is not good enough.  30 weeks is not good enough and even 35 weeks is not good enough.  We want you in there until 36 weeks but really, we want you in there for 39 weeks.  So, if I promise to try to keep it easy, can you promise to stay in there cooking for at least 11 more weeks?

I am going to be honest about one more thing.  With Elijah, I wimped out and let him be born at 37 weeks. I was tired of being pregnant and I wanted to meet Elijah as soon as possible.  So, when I had the option of having him at 37 weeks and knew he would be safe, I jumped at the chance. When I found out I was pregnant with you, I was a big bad tough mommy who was going to grin and bear it all the way to 39 weeks no matter what.  But, as the weeks progress and I am starting to get a few touches of misery, I can see my resolve weakening at 37 weeks again.  I am getting kind of tired, buddy.  I am at that stage where time is going kind of slow and I am ready to take a nappy and wake up with you ready to come out on June 21.  I am going to have to keep reminding myself how important 39 weeks are.  We need you to come out on June 21 with no jaundice, no health issues and great ability to latch on.  Also, we can't forget if you come out early or with health problems, our shot at free Kelley Ryden photos goes out the window  :)

We had a bit of a rough night tonight.  We got home from dinner with your Auntie Val & Great Gramma and I noticed that your little cocoon (my uterus) was rock hard & uncomfortable.  Then, I had two really bad episodes of what could have been contractions.  Of course, daddy got all worried about us and got that panicked look on his face.  But, then they went away.  So, I am assuming we are good for another day!  We will just have to keep negotiating each day/week to keep you in there cooking  :)

Happy 24 weeks little Joseph Robert!

Hospital Check Out

Hey Joey!
After a couple more days of worrying and things getting a little worse, your daddy and I went to Methodist tonight to have you checked out.  They checked me all out and did an ultrasound and all is OK with you. No evidence of amniotic juice, no evidence of my cervix opening and you looked all healthy.  We even got to see you breathe for the first time.  Our anxieties are calmed for  a couple more weeks when we go see Bonehead again on the 17th.  You were still moving like crazy and you are killing me  :)  Not only is the violent movement startling me, you must be dropkicking my bladder!

So, buddy, you are doing great and now I am feeling better since we got confirmation. After we left the hospital, we had dinner at HyVee and your daddy handed me this fortune....

That is you Joey - our final puzzle piece to make our family complete and happy is you!!  Now, just keep growing and staying healthy in there!

Mover and a shaker

Hi Baby Joey!
We have had a long week so far.  You just plain don't like me doing a whole lot.  If I pick up Elijah, I get cramps now.  Your daddy is having to take over the hard work and I am trying not to pick up your brother so we can keep you in there cooking.  Unfortunately, it leaves me with a really heavy heart.  It makes me sad because I love playing with your brother but I have to balance that with keeping you safe for 3 more months.  We will all just have to work together to keep you healthy.  We don't see Dr. Bonebrake until next Thursday but I did call them to let them know how much cramping I am having.  They wanted me to take it easy this weekend and let them know if it continued/got worse.  It hasn't because I have tried to be really good.  I will be relieved to see you, see that you still have all of your amniotic juice and know that you have made it to 25 weeks.  Unfortunately, with all the cramping, I am now back to being that pregnant mom counting down to 24 weeks and praying that you won't be born until June.  I thought we were past all that but I guess the cramping has been a reminder that we can't take anything for granted.

Outside of the bad things, I have to tell you that you are more active than any other baby I have carried!  You move a ton more than I remember Elijah moving.  You are all over the place and you are even interrupting my sleep - I can't sleep for lots of reasons but now, one of them is because you are too active!  Last night, I had a a dream that you were kicking me so hard that I was in pain.  I have a feeling it was happening in real life and just seeped into my dream.  You are kind of violent to your mama.  Maybe that is a good sign that you are getting it all out now and you will be mellow when you get here.  If it is the opposite, we are going to have problems  :)

Well, buddy, let's make a deal that you will stay in there and keep all that amniotic juice in tact.  Also, I would really like to cut you some sort of a deal that you will give us a good photo next week.  I hope it is our 3d visit and we can finally see a good shot of you.

Talk to you soon!