Baby Shower Fun

Yesterday was the big baby shower. My sister Sara came over from Spokane and with the help of my aunts and friends, threw quite the extravaganza. I am still on bedrest, so I had to sit in the recliner for the party, but it was still great fun to see everyone!

Ugly Lines

I had thought I might be lucky. So far, although I have encountered just about every sinlge pregnancy symptom known to woman, I had yet to experience the wonder of stretch marks on my belly. I have a few on my hips, my my tummy had remained smooth. That day has ended. Today it has been in the high 80s, low 90s at my house, so I've been sitting with my tummy sticking out of my shirt- I'm home alone on bedrest, nobody can see me. Anyway, while sitting here, I was watching the baby do some acrobatics, and as she flipped into a very uncomfortable position, a red line appeared. I gasped in horror as I discovered I have a big ole' stretch mark running up to my belly button. Oh well...I suppose it was bound to happen.

Lip buzzing

Gently purse your lips together and blow, allowing them to vibrate and make a buzzing noise. Now do this while taking your index finger and rubbing it against your buzzing lips. You now know what I'm doing all the live long day.
I went to the doctor on Friday for my 2-week check up. I'm still on IV fluids and meds, and my doctor doesn't want me moving around without "adult supervision." Because of the very long bedrest/illness, my body has weakend and my blood pressure is now having a difficult time maintaining a regular level. The other day it went from 80/40 to 190/120 in a matter of minutes. This can cause one to feel quite dizzy, to say the least. And I'm still having pretty strong contractions whenever I do in fact walk around, so I remain confined to a seated position.
I'm 33 weeks pregnant, which means I still have a month and a half before the alleged due date of this blessed child. Meanwhile I seem to have turned into an 8 year-old boy; I suddenly find myself suffering from a severe case of ADD. For a while, I could keep myself busy by reading books and magazines and watching the View, Oprah, the People's Court, and several hours of HGTV and TLC. Nothing all that stimulating, but at least it made the time pass.
I no longer have any interest in TV, I can't stay on one show for more than a few minutes before I have to switch the channel. And then I find it very grating on my nerves, so I turn it off and sit and stare. In the 2nd trimester I read many, many books. I've tried reading three new books in the past two weeks and I can't seem to make it past the first chapter in any of them. I've logged on to many baby websites, but find them too tedious to hold my attention for long. Absolutely ridiculous. The irony is that I know that as soon as she arrives, I will be wishing for quiet days of nothing to do, but right now I'm ready to be able to do something productive.

Moniker mayhem

I never realized the stress a parent endures when trying to determine the name for their child. Perhaps I am over-thinking it, but we are struggling to find a name we agree on. You see, we had a name. We loved it. But that was last year, before the third miscarriage. When I became pregnant for the fourth time, and the baby made it past the "danger zone," we started talking about what we would name her. We found a name that we loved, and vowed not to tell until after she was born. Well, the name we loved so much seems to be the name everyone loves. I've been doing my research, tracking name popularity on the Social Security website and babynames.com, and I was sure we'd be fine; apparently everyone else had the same idea. Since September, I know of 7 baby girls born with this name. As I am a teacher by trade, I know how difficult it can be both for the student and the teacher when there are several children with the same name. As such, I told Bryan we'd have to come up with some alternatives. He is not happy about this to say the least. You see, the name we love now was a name he once disliked, but it slowly grew on him, and now he can think of no other name that will hold the same power. We know that her middle name will be Virginia, after my mom. The trouble is, many names do not go with Virginia; any name that ends with an "a" sounds silly next to Virginia. For example: Mia Virginia- not so great. Then, any name that can double as a location sounds ridiculous. For example, Bryan likes the name Savannah, but you put Savannah with Virginia and it sounds like we are simply bad at geography.
I want a name that sounds sophisticated, but offers options; Bryan wants something cute. When we come up with a name, I imagine it on a resume. If it looks too cute, I veto- I want my girl to be able to run for President or be a cheerleader (although I prefer the first.) Her options may be limited if people don't take her seriously, or she sounds too much like an elderly woman. We still have a little over a month to figure it out, but I fear she'll be born and we'll still be arguing. I imagine I will ultimately pull rank, since I am the one giving birth after all. Feel free to offer suggestions- perhaps you know of a name we haven't yet thought of.

Let us all take a moment and applaud the Kiwi

So on World News Tonight, they did a cute little presentation on the mother Kiwi bird. The Kiwi bird lays an egg more than 50% of her own body size. This means, the momma bird can't really do anything, including eat, for the majority of her pregnancy. The egg is so huge, it completely crushes her internal organs.
I've recently been feeling pretty fat and uncomfortable, but once I saw the Kiwi bird, I felt fortunate to only be carrying such a small and proportionate sized baby.
In other news, I smell like a baby's bottom. The skin on my arm around my IV site has started breaking down and it has become trmendously raw. My sister had sent me a baby survival kit, in which there was a tube of A & D ointment. I thought, "my arm is raw and cracked, baby ointment is for rashes" Cut to me slathering baby diaper rash ointment all over my arm around the edges of the IV tape. I find it very soothing, but also very sticky.
Finally, I'm gonna have to hurt Portia soon. I think that she's probably stressed out and knows I don't feel very well. She's been on edge all week. She's insisted on laying right next to my bed, so I have to step around her in the night. During the day, she insists on sitting behind my chair, which means she knocks over the garbage can every time she crawls back there. I've moved the garbage can, but somehow she still knocks it over, and my IV stuff falls all over the place. She is very anxious, barking at everything that moves...she did this when I was taking care of my mom in her final days as well. Finally, she's been very licky. What I mean by this, is that she's licking her paws, she tries to lick my hand, and I found myself saying earlier today, "stop licking the chair!" I know she probably means well and can sense the stress in the house; she is a very sweet dog, but she's driving me crazy and I fear I may have to hurt her soon if she doesn't get it together.

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.