31 Weeks and counting

Ok, So I know some women just absolutely LOVE being pregnant- I am not one of these women. Perhaps it's the hyperemesis, perhaps the pre-tem labor, perhaps it's the 4 months on bed-rest, but I'm ready to be done. Alas, I still have 2 months to go. I'm not trying to be a wimp or complain, I'm just telling it like it is.
We had an ultrasound today. Baby girl is doing absolutely great! She's 3.5 lbs, but only 40th percentile in length. The ultrasound picts didn't really turn out, but the doctor commented on how chubby she is...looks like we're going to get a short "stocky" girl, just like her momma.
And she is DEFINATELY a girl...we had him double-check just to be safe. :-)
I've hit an all-new high in weight...so very scary this number, that I will not be sharing with the public, but let's just say there's a whole lot more of me these days. The doctor is excited since I lost so much weight in the beginning, and I guess I still haven't gained that much, but it's a big number regardless.
Here's the latest photo...we took it when we got back from the doc's, since I was still up, and dressed in something other than the usual sweat pants and screen t-shirt. ;-)

Update

I'm still on bedrest. I'm not currently in labor, but the contractions are strong enough that the doctor is afraid that if left un-checked, they could progress into labor. So, I'm off my feet. I was suppossed to go to a baby shower in Eastern Washington this weekend, but my shower has been cancelled due to the bedrest. They're going to have one here at my house in May instead....which works for me. Unfortunately, folks on the other side of the state will most likely not be able to attend, but I guess that's just what happens.
I'm back on full-time IV fluids. I'm able to take the anti-nausea meds via mouth, but the IVs have to stay.
Little girl continues to grow like a weed. Last night she got herself in a position that made my entire stomach lop-sided. We could actually make out the outline of her little body, with her big ole' head at one spot and her little fanny at the other end....her backbone stretched across the whole thing. Very cool and creepy all at once. And oh-so comfortable. :-)
I feel like my stomach is stretched to capacity, but I know that so much more will occur...the next few weeks should be most interesting.
Finally...it's baseball season! Is there anything better than a sunny day, the smell of fresh cut grass and a baseball game? I do miss the hot dog and beer while I watch, and I'm really bummed to be missing out on my own softball season this year...this is the first summer I won't play in years- but 'tis only a small sacrifice. Bryan hates baseball; luckily many of the games are played during the day, so at least I have something to enjoy while I work on my Jabba the Hut impression. Baby girl already has two Mariner outfits in her closet, much to the chagrin of many. Now I just need to find her a Mariner-colored elastic/ribbon for her little head. If I teach her anything, it will be a love for sports :-)

Bed Rest it is

Yup. I'm going to remain on bedrest for a while. My doctor is out of town so I'll see him on Monday for further analysis. (I met with the on-call doc.) I had more blood work today including the magical glucose test to check for gestational diabetes, and will have results Monday. I also got my Rhogam shot that helps with my RH negative issues.
There is talk that I might be going on a medication that will prevent the contractions, but we'll have to wait for my doctor to get back in order to do so. I'll remain on bed rest at least until he gets back.
Also, I've gained another 2 lbs, which bring my total weight gain from pre-pregnancy to now to 8lbs. When I became pregnant in September, I was still carrying some excess from when I miscarried in July, so I started out a little heavier than I wanted, but the doctor is not concerned since I lost so much weight back in January. I've finally re-gained that and have added 8lbs. Hopefully however, the 1lb/week weight gain will not last as I've still got 10-12 weeks to go. Of course being on bedrest for as long as I have does not help matters.
Anyway, that's the update.

Back in bed...

I'm tentatively back on bedrest. I started having contractions last night, so I had to go in today to make sure I'm not in labor. My cervix hasn't dilated but I'm definately having contractions, so I'm back in the bed/lazyboy by doctor's orders. The doctor conducted a bunch of tests, and I have to go back tomorrow for some more...I may get back off bedrest as early as tomorrow, but we'll see. The contractions get strongest when I move around, so it's likely they're going to want me to stay sedentary.
In other news, the weaning off the IV is not going so great...my nausea is starting to get pretty nasty again, so it looks like I'm going back on the meds and the IV. Truthfully, I'm not devastated...when I was on the IV regularly I was starting to feel pretty good and was able to at least go to the store for a little while . At this point, I'm of the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" mentality. Yes the IV is a pain, but I'd rather have it and feel some-what decent than, not have it and feel crappy like I do now.
Finally, I've been referred to a website that deals specifically with hyperemesis gravidarum- the official term for the pregnancy disase I have. Many of you have asked "what is causing you to be so sick?" Well my friends, I refer you to the following website for all your questions as to why Steph is still puking: http://www.hyperemesis.org/hyperemesis-gravidarum/
And no, just getting up and moving around does not in fact make me better. :-)

28 Week Update

Happy Easter! Today we attended a new church in the area. Actually, we tried it out last week, and went again today. We've been attending a very large and locally popular church for the past year but have failed to ever feel truly "plugged in." So, we decided it was time to search for a new church family. The new church we've investigated seems a little more "family friendly." In the last week the welcomming commitee has been out in force, including the delivery of home-baked cookies by one of the church members.
After church we had my former mentor teacher and her husband over for brunch, which was delicious.
Last Sunday, my aunt Jonna and her son Kuhn came to visit. Puck took an immediate liking to Kuhn and used his lap as his personal couch.
In other news, I've made it to 28 weeks...I'm officially in my last trimester- yay! Baby girl is kicking up a storm, and the growing circus that is my abdomen never fails to entertain. We're trying to wean me back down off the IV meds. I've switched to one of my many meds orally, and this week I'll add another. In the last two days I've only had one IV bag instead of the usual two. So far, I've been okay, so hopefully this is a trend in the right direction.