Dr.'s Visit 02-19-09

After the Dr.'s visit, Mom and Dad met me at my house and we webcammed w/Dallas, Cindy, and Presley, and then we went out to eat. During all this, Dad asked me what my plans were for working on the nursery for last night and today, so I told him. He then volunteered to stay and help me get the trim taped up so the walls could be painted. I said "Thanks" and accepted the help. By the time that was over, I was so tired and hurting that I showered and went to bed. So, here's the report on yesterday's doctor visit:

Keith was out of town so I asked my mom to go with me to the ultrasound (just in case there was bad news I wouldn't have to get it alone). Of course - she did.

The ultrasound was first, and it was great! It was so good to see her again, and there's no doubt she's a girl! Even I could very clearly tell those were girl parts! So, YEA on the lady being right at 19 weeks! My GA was 36 weeks, 0 days and Layla was measuring 36 weeks, 4 days. So, a little early but they're not changing my due date. They "estimated" her weight to be about 6 lbs 8 oz. But quickly told me that when they're this big, it's harder to guess and that could be off by as much as a pound. Even if it were off by a pound, she's almost definitely going to be bigger than Lucy and probably bigger than Presley too, since I've still got 4 weeks to go. Oh dear - this could be a big baby girl...maybe I will consider an epidural!

During the ultrasound, the lady flipped it over to 4D Real Time a little so we could see more detail - one of these times is what erased all doubt as to her gender! And, she was kind enough to print us two pictures from the 4D experience and two of the regular type pictures. The regular pictures are profile views and the 3D pictures are of her face, one almost straight on and one at a bit of an angle:










The ultrasound lady said everything looked great and that she was a good size and growing just fine. YEA!!! Thank you God and thanks to all of you who prayed for us! My doctor then looked at the ultrasound report and agreed that everything looked great on it, and that everything else was fine. I gained some weight this time, so that helped make up for the last two losses :) My blood pressure and other tests were also fine, and Layla's heartbeat was 131 bpm. So, everything seems to be going well and I'm now beginning my weekly visits. Wow! That helps me realize that the end is drawing near.

We're working on the nursery every chance we get, and it's coming along. The ice storm stopped our progress and we kinda lost our momentum. But, we're at it again and when it's completed I will post pictures for all to see. I hope I didn't forget anything. Thanks to all who called, e-mailed, texted, or IMed to ask about the appt. We appreciate the concern.

Dr.'s Visit

All went well! She and I are doing great! I will post pictures and details tonight. Thank you all for the prayers on our behalf! And my apologies for not getting anything up last night - details tonight.

Our Second Baby Shower

On Thursday, Feb. 12th, I had a shower given to me by the teachers at University Heights Elementary (my other school). Again, this shower was hosted by many of the other special teachers.

This cake had the yummy whipped icing I love and the center of the cake looked just like the napkins - very cute!

If you want to see all 25 of the pictures, click on the picture below and it will take you to the album. Some of the pictures are dark on purpose so you can see the colors a little better. We received many things monogrammed with "Layla" or an "L."

The girls in the picture are two of the teachers kids that were there. And the corsage "flowers" are actually little bitty socks - how cute and creative!

The plaque was made by one of the crafty teachers there and the goodies in the basket were made by another crafty teacher there. And, the blanket with the bears was also hand-made - this one by a sweet lady that subs at that school a lot, who's known my family for years.

Shower 021209

Thank you to all the teachers, administration, staff, etc. that helped with the shower and gave gifts! Again, Keith and I appreciate it GREATLY!

Another Belated Shower Gift

I've attached another belated shower gift to the Central album. It's a 3-pack of 6-9 month footed, zippered, sleep-n-plays. The lady brought me these today, returning from 3 weeks meeting her new granddaughter in Nashville. Thanks!

Belated Gift Pictures Added

Yesterday I received a belated shower gift (she had told me it would come later b/c the ice storm had prevented her from picking it up). So, I took three pictures of it and added it to the slideshow from the Feb. 5th post. This keeps all the pictures from that shower together. It's a very soft pink and white striped blanket edged in brown, and "Layla" is embroidered in brown on a pink daisy. So cute! And the other side is the same pink material as the daisy and soo soft.

Thank you to all the teachers, administration, and staff that helped with the shower and gave us gifts. We GREATLY appreciate it all!

Our First Baby Shower

We had our first baby shower on Tuesday, February 3rd. This shower was at one of my schools - Central Elementary. Many of the other special teachers all helped out in hosting this for me.

The cake was shaped like a stroller and the cupcakes had little onesies on them. The punch had real raspberries in it - yum! And, they had this pretzel dip that I love and nuts and mints.

The gift table had a white stork on it with two monogrammed bibs around it's neck - so cute! And both tables had pink "It's a Girl" balloons tied to them.

If you want to see all 19 of the pictures, click on this picture and it will take you to the album. Some of the pictures are dark on purpose so you can see the colors a little better. We received three things monogrammed with "Layla" - a bib, a blanket, and a jumper - and one bib monogrammed with "L."

Shower 020309

Wow! This really made it seem much more real to Keith and I both. We've got baby stuff at the house and we've picked out the nursery colors. But this really just increased the realness factor. Especially the items with "Layla" or "L" on them.

I am 34 weeks today, and we feel as though we need all 6 of those remaining weeks to be ready for her. Time will tell, but if she does come before we have her room ready, at least we have a bassinet and room for it in our bedroom.

Belly Pic & Baby Update

Here's me at 33 wks 6 days:



And so that you can see how she looks on me from the front:




I had another doctor's appt. Monday the 2nd. Her heartbeat was, again, 138 bpm. But don't let that fool you...she is a very active little girl.

I lost 1.3 pounds since my appt on Jan. 21st, and at that appt. I had lost 1.6 pounds since the appt on Jan. 5th. And, yes, I eat...plenty. This puts my total weight gain now at only 8.2 pounds (crazy, I know, for how big my belly is).

But my doctor said he's not worried about the losses since she's moving often and with force. Nevertheless, and probably just to ease my mind since I expressed my worry about it, when I go back on Feb. 19th he is going to have them do an ultrasound to check her growth and development. That's fine with me - it'll ease my mind a little more and I'll get to see her again. The sad thing is that Keith won't get to go with me to this appt. :( He'll be out of town that day and they didn't have any other afternoons available that week (and he's saving his few remaining sick days for when she's born). This will be the first ultrasound he'll miss. But, I'll have pictures and the video to bring home so he'll get to see all those. It's not totally the same, but it's better than nothing.

So, there's the latest update on the baby and I. Just pray for her to truly be okay and for me to be able to relax and trust my doctor's calmness on this. Right now, I'm pretty nervous/worried about it. We just want her to be healthy and all okay! Please join us in this prayer! Thanks!