31 weeks

Hi Baby Joey!
We have officially crossed the 30 week threshold and we are now on 31.  WOOHOO!  We went to the doctor today & you checked out good.  No issues to report.  However, you are a big fat pig.  You 5 lbs and 12 oz.  That is almost 1 pound bigger than Elijah was when he was a week younger!  I think I kept telling myself that if you & Elijah were the same size, you would be OK since he was OK.  I was very disappointed to see that you were so much bigger because it makes me worried for you.  Heck, it makes me worried for me since we are only 31 weeks and you are almost a full size baby.  But, it makes sense that I am so uncomfortable so early because you are so big.  We got an adjustment in our meds and we will hope that slows your growth down and we will go back in 2 weeks.

You still look just like your brother.  The ultrasound tech said you have a ton of hair already!  I think this is our last 3d ultrasound because you are running out of room in there so they can't get a good picture.  It was so awesome seeing you these times in 3d.

In other news, Elijah is really trying to get to know you!  Every night, he climbs up on my lap and he lifts my shirt up.  We say "Hi Joey" together.  Then, he pulls my shirt down and we say "Bye Joey."  We do that a few times and he laughs.  Then, he pats my belly and now, he even gives you a kiss every night.  Every once and awhile, he will be in a position that his elbow or knee pushes on my tummy and you kick him back like "Get off of me buddy."  I know that he doesn't really know that you are a baby in there but it really melts my heart!  I can't wait to see you two interact with each other.

From my perspective, I am still miserable buddy.  My hip kills.  I can't sit long before I need to lay down.  If you are on my right, I have to switch you to my left.  I am going to keep it real and tell you that I realized last week that I think I might be facing a bit of my depression again.  It isn't that I am depressed about you buddy - I am so excited for you to be here and be your mommy.  But, being pregnant is pretty hard on me and the physical stuff is bringing me down.  The pain makes me not want to get out of bed then I get sad that I can't do a whole lot and your brother needs me.  The diabetes makes me sad because I worry for you.  But, once I realized what was happening, I did perk up a bit.  I think recognizing it was half the battle.  I did tell the doctor today & he wasn't overly worried about it.  I am not going to take any meds for right now because I wholeheartedly believe that this will pass when you get here.  Bonehead also preferred me not to take the meds right now.  We will just keep pushing through and make it through the next few weeks.

Well buddy, two more weeks until we see you again and you will be 33 weeks.  Then, we are going to be going to see you each week until you arrive.  I will leave you with a funny.  We have been so worried about Elijah being mean to you.  After we left the doctor and saw how big you were, your daddy was so funny because he said "Well, maybe we are going to need to tell Elijah to watch out for Joey instead of the other way around."  That made me laugh!  You will need to be ornery and feisty to hold your own in this house!

29 weeks

Hi Joey!
Well big boy, you are now 1 day past 29 weeks.  Each passing week gets us closer to you being here and us loving you up!  No doctors appointments for 2 more weeks but we did have some activity this week.

You are still moving up a storm.  Most days, it is just constant but somedays, it is still painful.  You are so much more active than Elijah that it takes some getting used to.  Every once and awhile, I will think "Oh, it has been a few hours since Joey moved."  Then, you will move just for me!  You are up, down, sideways and every position in between.  It is very difficult and painful for me when you get on my right side so I have to lay down on my left and get you switched.  You are still kicking, thumping, and rolling. You still wake me up even though I am in a sleeping-pill induced haze.  All sorts of stuff going on in there.

The ketone issue we noticed last week seems to be OK.  They have not measured as a concern this week.  But, on the flip side, my night blood sugars are high.  In order to keep the ketones low, I am eating a bit more at night so my sugars are higher.  I will just be so excited when you are here and this is all over with.

I got all the clothes sorted for you and, unfortunately, the summer pile is pretty small.  I had a JCPenny gift card so I ordered you a bunch of summer clothes.  I think we will take a trip to the consignment store and you will be all set.  You have a ton of little shirt onesies but not a lot of shorts or rompers.  We will get you settled though.

I have to admit to you that I am really, really uncomfortable.  I am in some pain and I get truly uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time.  My belly is pretty sore and it is really hard to manage when your brother wants to read books or cuddle.  I can't roll over too gracefully.  My right hip is in such bad shape that I am sometimes brought to tears.  Somedays, I get down because the physical stuff gets to be too much and 10 weeks seems so, so far away.  I have now convinced myself that if we can just get to 35 weeks, we can have you.  Then, I figure I can talk myself into an additional week from there on out - sort of manipulate my brain until we get to 39 weeks.  However, I really don't see us going past 37 weeks with the sugars/ketones and such.  One thing is that your daddy is really good to us.  He can tell how uncomfortable I am and he is trying hard to make sure that he does everything.  He was even sick this week with some back pain but he still made sure to lift Elijah and take the stress off us.  I think we will all be really excited when you are here, healthy and my body is back to being "normal."

Finally, have you noticed some little alien talking to you in there?  The last 2 nights, Elijah has been talking to you.  He will lift my shirt up and pat you, rub you, talk to you then hit you & bite you.  When he pushes hard, I can feel you kick him.  I guess that sibling rivalry is already kicking in.  It is so cute hearing him coo at you and then it is cute feeling you move.  I think that he really will love you up and give you lots of kisses but I also think he will smack you upside the head when you least expect it.  I think you both will keep us on our toes but, for now, I just want fond memories of him laying his head on my tummy cooing to you and you moving around in response!

According to my countdown on my desktop, 69 more days until your arrival!!  WOOHOO!!

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!