Hello Third Trimester ... Hello Diabetes!

I had a follow up appointment this morning. I fasted - put nothing in my stomach after 10:00 last night until after they pulled my blood this morning and I failed again. My number from the original glucose test last week, after the oh-so-yummy orange sugar drink, was 205 and is supposed to be less than 140. OOPS! This morning, the fasting glucose number was supposed to be under 105 and I came in at 125. So that's that. I officially have gestational diabetes and all the fun is over. The fasting number today was high but it could have been worse so I think my freaking out over the past couple days and being afraid to eat anything bad for me might have actually helped. The appointment this morning did have a bright side. I know it's not good to lose weight during pregnancy but my weight was down a few pounds from my last visit so I'm looking at 18 total pounds from the beginning. Now that I'm starting this no-fun diet I shouldn't gain too fast in the last trimester. I'm not sure I can actually gain weight without ice cream. I'm not sure I'll actually survive without ice cream. There's always sugar free jello, right? yummy.

I had to jump through hoops to get a glucometer paid for by my insurance company. I had to use their mail order service of suffer the wrath of "out of network" charges so I won't be poking my fingers until early next week. I do, however, have my counseling bright and early tomorrow morning so I'll learn how to use the meter and follow the diet. Fun times!

What else does this mean for us? I will start my weekly appointments at 32 weeks instead of 35 and each appointment will consist of a sonogram and fetal monitoring as well as going over my blood sugar levels. They're giving me until next Friday to get things under control with diet but if the numbers are still high then, I'll start insulin injections. I really DO NOT want to do that, partly because of the shots and partly because it's not exactly the safest thing in the world for the baby. The risk of stillbirth increases if you're on insulin so they'll do a c-section at 38 weeks if I'm on insulin. I certainly would wish for a complication other than stillbirth. While the doc didn't seem too concerned, as long as I keep everything under control, that was one glaring problem I really didn't like hearing about. I'll survive but I'm sure I'll be complaining for the next, oh ... 12 weeks or so.

I have the best husband in the world! He came to my appointment this morning and I was so happy to have him there. He asked good questions and helped me keep things straight in my head. Of course, I think he was excited to see the hot doctor again and maybe hear Baby Megan's heartbeat too. He's been so busy at work so I was happy he was able to get away for the appointment. He really has been great through this pregnancy. Aside from enjoying the occasional (nightly) frosty beverage/frozen margarita/glass of wine in front of me, he has been very supportive. He brought me flowers Tuesday night, after I had gotten the news and when I got into the car Wednesday morning he had left a card in there for me. It might have been the first time I cried over something other than sports. :-)

I took the whole day off from work and got to watch 90120 on SoapNet!! The bitchy boss is out for the rest of the week so I just left a message with the not-so-bitchy one. I didn't finish taking care of everything until 3:00 today so screw em. Besides, I think managing my health issues are WAY more important than anything I could have done at work. I'm going to be late tomorrow too because of the counseling but what can I do? When one is at the mercy of doctors' schedules ...

When I Fail ...

I fail big. My doc's office called this morning with the results of my Glucose Tolerance Test. Apparently I'm not a tolerant person because my number far exceeded the number in the safe range. I kind of expected it. I knew it was coming. Face it, with a body like mine to begin with paired with my family history of diabetes, I didn't stand a chance. I go back on Thursday for further testing. Those of you who have been through this have heard of, or possibly experienced, the three-hour glucose test. Well, we're skipping that. Per doc, my number is high enough that we're not entertaining the possibility that the results were maybe just a tiny fraction high making treatment not necessary. We're just doing a fasting glucose test (which, frankly, is what that last one was because I ate nothing before going in except my synthroid and some water) and an OB visit. Good thing I already have an endocrinologist whom I am already seeing on Monday for my thyroid. Seriously, how old am I? How many docs do I have? I originally planned to make this a nice little blog about how wonderful pregnancy is but this Doomsday Diet is starting to sink in and I'm not happy about it.

My work isn't happy about it either. I had agreed to work a full day on Thursday to cover for the receptionist who has requested the day off. I tried to make my appointment for Wednesday or Friday but they couldn't do it. Seriously, I tried. PSYCHO ALERT: My boss said "we need you here. A day off here and a day there really adds up and when you're not here it's on me and (her) to cover". I'm so sorry. I planned to get gestational diabetes because of all the fun things I've heard about it and I just love the risk to my baby. Cry me a river, bitch. Granted, I called in sick last Thursday, I was off last Friday, I'm off early on Monday, and I'm off next Tuesday and now I'm off this Thursday --- but it's a part time job -- a low paying part time job. I've probably showed up for work more than your typical file clerk and I've put up with a ton of shit around here so I just don't want to hear it. EXIT PSYCHO ALERT. aaaaaahhh

It has been one heck of a few days. James made me go hang out with the guys Friday night when I felt like poo and I think I kept poor Lisa up WAY past her bedtime waiting for James to be done with his case of beer and his washers game. I finally told him the designated driver was leaving, with or without him, at midnight. He came running - out of fear that psycho preggers might actually leave him. :-) Saturday was a long day too as we hit the mall for a while. I had some Motherhood gift cards to spend and I bought huge giant maternity panties. They are the best things ever!! Sexy? hell no. But why do you need to be sexy when you're already knocked up? Sorry if that's TMI. :-) get over it. That night we watched "Wild Hogs" and it was funny. I really enjoyed it and it made us laugh out loud so it was a nice relaxing evening. Sunday we were maybe 2 minutes late to mass and it was standing room only. I guess that's what happens when you go the 'before Sunday football' mass. We watched football all day long on Sunday so it was a nice lazy day. All that time to recoup from my snot overload and lack of sleep earlier in the week. Notice I didn't mention the Aggie game Thursday night. I don't know what you're talking about. The Aggies didn't play Thursday night ... apparently.

The Killers on the other hand, that's my fantasy football team, came up with a big win! I scored the most points in the league this weekend, which was a good thing since the team I was playing scored the second most. It was a nail biter but thanks to the Dallas Cowboys, I won! WOOHOO! Some heads are going to roll on my team though. Heads will roll ..

We had babycare class last night and you'll be happy to know they did actually give us an instruction manual. I laughed when I saw it sitting on the table. I don't think anyone else saw any humor in it. James was such a trooper going to those classes during Monday Night Football. He's the best husband in the world! We got to talk to a pediatrician (and I scored a free book by knowing breastfeeding is recommended for the first 12 months - don't think the other girls knew that - how do you not know that - though James was impressed by my brains) and the nurse went over a list of things we need and she was very emphatic about some of the products we need. Pacifiers ... no matter what kind ... should be glow in the dark. Never would have though of that on my own but it makes sense, unless it will keep my baby awake by glowing in her face. HAH! We learned how to bathe, swaddle and diaper. Right, I'll remember all of that in 2.5 months. I guess it is common sense for the most part. Next Thursday starts the Childbirth classes. I'm looking forward to those. I suppose I should start looking into those chapters in the books.

I guess I've said everything. I've said a lot so I hope that's all. No fun pics this time, sorry. Maybe I'll get some more sonogram pics to share now that I'm in the high risk category. Silver lining to every cloud, right?

and we're ready ...

Maybe. Well, OK, not so much. We did take a class last night that taught us a lot. This particular class is a two night class and last night we covered Infant CPR and Safety that included choking hazards, car seats and babyproofing your home. It was very informative but pretty much just made me realize how utterly terrifying it is going to be to have a little crazy person crawling around my house getting into everything she can. We were both amazed at how tight you strap the babies into the car seats. It looks uncomfortable but I guess it's what works and knowing where Megan is before she's born I guess technically she'll be used to being confined in a tight space, right? Ofcourse, I'm pretty sure my uterus doesn't have straps and buckles but you know what I mean. The home baby-proofing portion was a lot of common sense coupled with the fear of God. No pet food or water should be left out, there are oven latches and toilet latches, cabinet locks. OH MY! It's a miracle I survived my dangerous youth and my parents weren't arrested. I know, I know. New products have been developed to make the home safer for children so they should be used ... but still ... we had none of that crap when I was a kid. Next week will be the "babycare" portion where I'm hoping we will get the instruction manual since I've heard they don't hand those out at the hospital after delivery.

I've added another blog link along the side of the page - The Daily Dispatch. My mom's friend Scherry is the one who does this blog and she only updates it when she's on the road. My mom and Scherry travel together in their motorhomes and they spend a lot of time taking pics, most of which are amazing. Like I said before, they're in Colorado for a couple weeks and should have some great shots of the fall color in the Rockies. ahhhh, to be retired.

Yes, another one today! I'm on a roll. I just had to complain again, though I'm sure you'll all laugh at me. Especially you, mom. My mom is on vacation. I mean, she doesn't have a home at the moment so who can blame her for taking off in the tin can on wheels to where the weather is cooler. aaaahhh Colorful Colorado (Estes Park in case you were wondering). She sent me these pics of the mountains and the SNOW on top. She asked if I could 'feel the cool'. I know she was trying to send 'cool' my way, since it's going to be over 90 again today, but it's just plain mean. ha ha ha I'm fat and I'm tired but mostly I'm just HOT (and not in the dancing-on-the-table-in-college way either). I'm putting out heat like a furnace. Enjoy the pictures. Maybe they'll cool you off too. If you live somewhere that Fall has already fallen, I don't want to hear it!

Score!

Total score!! James received the email with the free bottle coupon too!! That's three free bottles!! I'll get my money's worth out of Babies R Us if it's the last thing I do! Ofcourse, we forgot to cash in one of the coupons when we were there yesterday so that's two more trips I have to make but it's right down the road from my office so who cares.


Listen to this, the toy on the bar on our bouncy seat is supposed to play music when you pull on it. It didn't work and we didn't realize this until after we assembled the whole thing. That's why we went to BRU yesterday. I just popped the box and the assembled seat along with the receipt into a cart and wheeled it in. The lady at the customer service desk just told me to run back to get another one (as if they couldn't have gotten someone to do this for a pregnant lady). Then she had us just rip into the box and get what we needed out of it. We switched out the toy bar, put our defective one back in the box and walked out. I thought that seemed a little off and I KNOW someone is going to end up with that broken one again. They didn't put a note on the box or anything. Idiots. Very strange way to do business but we got what we needed so whatever. Just had to share!

Baby Shower!!

I had my first baby shower last weekend. It was a small group but we had fun anyways. Thank you Christy and Lisa for hosting - especially Lisa who was a little under the weather. :-) Baby gifts are the cutest things in the world, especially the clothes, and I got some good things at the shower. The first gift I want to show you is the quilt my mom made. The pictures are baby pictures of both me and James. James' pics are in the blue squares and mine are in the pink. The center square is a pic of the two of us last summer in Colorado. I almost cried but remembered that I only cry over sports. :-) My mom is so sneaky getting pictures from my mother in law. She planned this when they were both at our house for Mother's Day and she kept it a secret!

I have pics of me with just about all the gifts but this one shows the belly. It really just kinda sticks out there. Sitting next to me is Christy who is having her little girl on October 2nd. I think my belly is bigger than hers! What is that all about? Then again, she's a few inches taller than me so he baby has more room to go - mine just goes out. Say hi to Maddie and Stacy in the background!

This is the cutest outfit I've gotten and I just can't wait to get Megan in this dress. There are tights to go with it too. Little cream colored tights with little brown shoe designs on the feet and little brown bows. A baby doesn't need shoes so making them part of the tights is such a cute idea.
Lastly, I was shopping with my mom one day last week while James was in NYC (again) and I found this at Old Navy. It was on sale and too cute to pass up. I know the pic isn't that great but oh well. The cap has a little pocket on it - for what, I have no idea. I want to know when she's going to get some cute "I love Mommy" outfits!!

Signing up for all the websites is finally starting to pay off. I got a coupon for a free bottle at Babies R Us so I went there to collect. Ofcourse, my "free" bottle cost me $24 on two cute outfits. First, I bought her a little A&M outfit with a little dress top and bloomers with ruffles on the butt. It was too cute to pass up. It has short sleeves so who knows if she'll ever be able to wear it but I'll put it on her long enough for a pic even if it is too cold outside. It will be her Aggie Basketball outfit! The other outfit is the same style but for the Texas Rangers but it's a little bigger so hopefully she can wear it during baseball season. She needs and Astros outfit (or a few) but they just don't sell those up here for some reason. hmmmm. James made fun of me for buying her a Rangers outfit!! Anyways, since I originally opened that 'free bottle' email on webmail I was able to print a second coupon when I opened it on my desktop here at home. Another free bottle!! I know I'm a dork for being excited because I'm sure it's a $2 value but I like scoring free stuff. We have something we have to return to Babies R Us so I don't even have to make a special trip to get the bottle! YAY!

My Aggies won another one!! 54-14!! WHOOP! And to think, Texas almost lost to a directional school (Central Florida - see, the direction is in the name). If only they had lost. hee hee hee! Big game next Thursday against Miami! Gig Em Aggies!

Getting closer

We got the nursery cleaned out of all the painting stuff and tools today. It was quite a task but I'm so happy it is done. We also assembled the high chair (yes, I'm aware it will be a few months before Baby Megan actually needs it but we wanted to get rid of boxes). We also assembled the bouncy chair and took a look at the Pack N Play to make sure everything was included and in working order. I cleaned out the drawers in the dresser so we could put some of the clothes and other stuff in there. The drawers were full of ATO and APhi sweatshirts and tee shirts. I had no idea we even had more of those things. I should just throw them all away ... but they're sitting in our other upstairs bedroom that is now our CRAP room. Wall to wall crap.

Here's a shot of the diamond wall and you can see the curtains too. Notice the high chair and the car seat - all ready for Megan! The sheer curtains have purple dragonflies on them and we did the green curtains to match the green edge on the sheers. Very colorful!



Here's the other half of the room. The dresser is an old one from my Grandma's house that I've had for a while. We probably won't refinish it so it won't be a perfect match but it will definitely serve it's purpose. Maybe we'll paint it someday. I made the message board that is on the wall and the only picture on it so far is one of Craig Biggio. Yes, I am aware I'm having a little girl - not a boy - but she will be a baseball fan! She has no choice!

Here's one of the inside of the bathroom. We matched the green curtains, almost perfectly (thank you Home Depot), for the color in here. We haven't painted the main portion of the bathroom yet, just through that door. It might be too much color if we add another (I'm thinking either yellow or continue the green). The upstairs is going to look like a circus tent but I guess that's OK since it's for the kids!

Another shot of the bathroom so you can see the colors together. I got the pictures from Pier 1 Kids, which is going out of business by the way so you ought to check out your local store if you have one. Everything was at least half off and they have some cute stuff if you have older kids. Not so much for the babies.
While we were assembling the highchair today I suddenly felt excited. I mean, the pregnancy was planned so I knew what I was getting in to but I think the fear of what is in store for us has overshadowed the excitement. Today I just felt ready. I actually told James that I couldn't wait to meet her and have her here. And for once it had nothing to do with the fact that I really would like more than a sip of beer or wine! :-) I'm ready to meet my little girl - well, she needs to stay in there for a couple more months - but I'm starting to get so anxious. Later this afternoon while I was on the computer (I've been on the computer a lot today) I sat back and just watched her kick me. I could see my belly just popping out. It was fun! Her kicks are starting to get much stronger and even a little higher in my belly but thankfully she's still not in my ribs yet. I am 26 weeks along now and getting so close to that third trimester!

OK, so the Aggies are playing but they're not on TV. We're up 41-7 in the 4th quarter. I'm guessing this one isn't going into OT - please God, no more OT. James went to play with the boys so I'm enjoying my quiet night alone with the dog (and more College Football on TV). I suppose I should get to work on the thank you notes for my shower last week.

I have a couple more pics to post (apparently there's a 5 pic limit) and more to say but I had pepperoni and jalapeno pizza for dinner so I'm going to grab some Tums and start a second post for the night.

WHOOP!

AGGIES WIN! I was worried in the beginning when Montana State (who?) scored on their first drive and we only got a field goal. Honestly, I thought, "here we go again", but the game ended much better than it started. Next week ... we get to actually WATCH them! WHOOP!

We've only just started getting baby gear and it is already taking over our house. The nursery is DONE but we need to clean it before it is truly ready. I'll take some pics once that is done but don't hold your breath because I'm lazy. We put together our stroller yesterday. James could not be stopped. I was happy to see how easy it is to fold that thing down and it's not too heavy either. Thank you mom! We also have some other big items but they will stay in their boxes for a while longer. Seriously, I still have 4 months so everything would just gather dust!

It's a long LONG weekend for us and we're getting so much accomplished. Our laptop died so I had to fight with Dell to have them send a restore disk so the Geek Squad could fix it. That was a nightmare but don't fight with a pregnant lady ... we'll win every time! The stupid computer is less than two years old and it just self destructed. I think they're built that way. We also had a flat tire last weekend so I've been driving on the spare all week looking completely ghetto, or rugged, whichever you prefer. We got the truck to Firestone yesterday at 7am, which ofcourse was perfect timing for breakfast with all the old folks at McDonald's. Last night we hung out with some friends and watched more college football. Stupid OU and Bob Stoops. He's such a jackass ... running up scores like that. Surprisingly, James was up before me this morning and he took the dog for a walk then made breakfast! When I woke up, around 10 (!!!), he was cooking bacon and making waffles. YUM-O! He's the best husband in the world. But then, I'm the best designated driver in the world who drives through McDonald's (yes, twice in one day) at 1:00 am on our way home. HAH!

We're off to pick up the newly restored laptop and maybe go out to eat. Date night!! I suppose I should shower before going out in public. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Labor Day weekend and I hope you're all at least off for the long weekend, if not longer, like me! WOOHOO!