28 Week Check-Up

So my 28 week appointment came and went shortly after the school year ended and my summer began. My doctor appointment was on Thursday, June 12, after we returned from our trip to the wonderful city of DC and the beautiful, old town, Alexandria, Virginia. We had a fabulous time and it was a WONDERFUL way to rest after a very busy end of year and packing my classroom up after 8 years of teaching. 

My doctor's visit required two requirements: getting my RH negative shot as well as having blood taken for my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. I survived my shot, which was tender for about 2 seconds, and was for my glucose test was told if I received a call in 3-4 days, I would have tested above 140, meaning I had gestational diabetes. If I did not receive a phone call, I tested less than 140 and was good to go. As of this past Thursday, and since then, I have not heard anything; therefore: I PASSED MY GLUCOSE TEST!!!!!! :) Very grateful and thankful for such a good report! 

Here is my 28 week update: 

Weight gain: 18+ lbs (? lbs from 24 to 28 week appointment). I actually didn't pay attention at ALL this visit to the scale. I really am not concerned with this as I truly feel the same throughout my body with the exception that my belly is huge! Ha! I believe that I am mainly all baby and being shorter waisted, he really doesn't have anywhere to go but out. So...yeah.  

Sleep: Same ole, same ole. Sleep about an hour, then up to pee. Lay back down, fall back asleep within 5 minutes. I sleep well except that throughout the night as I am trying to consistently change from side to side, the changing is a bit stretchy and painful for my belly. Also, about twice a night I awake up with one leg in numbing, awful pain. It does subside in a few minutes though.   

Gender: B-O-Y, BOY!!! 

Name: Emery Anthony Edens!!! A blog post with the name explanation is still waiting in the wings....

Feeling: Continuing to feel well over all and still love being pregnant. I can definitely tell that I am in the 3rd trimester and on the downhill slope now though, because I definitely have more aches/stretching/and growing pains. I am also more uncomfortable in just about anything I wear and bending over is definitely obsolete at this point. My reflux has improved; after finally getting some Nexium that I am taking daily, the pain is nowhere near what it was. Hoping things stay that way. 

Cravings: Still nothing. If anything, my pregnant diet is no different than my non-pregnant diet. 

Health: Doing well. Every appointment I have brings good news. The past two appointments my blood pressure did have to be checked twice, but the second times showed my average, low BP. I personally think it was because of what was taking place at both of those appointments (not a huge fan of the doctor in general and things that come with). I also think I am what they consider an "average, typical" pregnancy. When visiting the doctor, I am always told, "Looks good!" with everything that is checked. REALLY grateful to God. 

Movement: My baby boy is CONSTANTLY on the move. I of course do not have anything to compare him to, but seriously. This kid moves CONSTANTLY, all day long - kicking, tickling, wiggling, punching, turning, flipping. He is beginning to move enough to where he can visibly be seen from the outside and when sitting next to anyone, we get quite the kick out of it (no pun intended). Even more recently than usual, he is rarely still.  

I will be 30 weeks tomorrow (Tuesday), and my next appointment is this Thursday, June 26 for my tetanus shot. We are also having our 4D visit at Vision of Life on Friday and I could not be more excited!!! I cannot wait to see sweet Emery in detail!! We have invited our parents and Jonathan's grandparents to join us.  

24 Weeks...baby eggplant. 

My mama joined me for my 28 week appointment since I was going to be having so much needle poking going on and I couldn't have handled it without her. She also treated me to lunch afterwards at the delicious Tupelo Honey.

She is going to be the best mimi. :)  

Lunch at Tupelo Honey.

One other thing we did recently, was celebrate Jonathan's very first Father's Day. I cannot even describe the anticipation that I have in seeing him with Emery when the time comes. I do not doubt his abilities as a father for one second and I thank the Lord for the man that He continues to shape Jonathan into daily. He is the perfect leader to disciple our son. I am so, so thankful for his life and role in our home. 

Father's Day, 2014

Continuing to pray to God daily that He will continue to fully grow this blessing to good health and for a safe, healthy delivery. If you are willing, please pray as well. We are just shy of 10 weeks out - I cannot believe how fast this time is flying by!  

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 

24 Week Check-Up

...except that as I write this, I am 26 weeks and 6 days.

Oops.
I have a bad habit of getting behind, but this time of year, especially, is the worst time of year to try and keep up. 

May has been incredibly busy for the Edens and as June has just begun, it's going to be another 2 weeks before things slow down a bit. With closing out another school year, packing up 8 years of teaching to close one door only to enter into the next, trying to complete the master bedroom, and then begin the nursery to prepare for sweet Emery's arrival...the plate is full! It will all get taken care of, it always does, but as of this moment in time, I cannot see the light. You know. The one at the end of the tunnel. 

I had my last appointment on Thursday, May 15th, and it was quick and pretty generic. They took my vitals, took baby boy's vitals, quickly checked his HR with the doppler - a strong 150's - measured my belly, and spent about 1 minute chatting the usual before I was on my way. When I first arrived and they took my BP, apparently it was a little higher than usual - for me especially, 142 on top - so they had me meet with the doctor, and then took it again before leaving to make sure we didn't have to take a further step. Afterwards, the nurse took it once more, and the top was 134, so the doctor said, "All is well! See you in 4 weeks!" Whew! They seriously had me nervous and sweating bullets the entire time I was there. If one thing seems off, not even anything that should be alarming, I turn into a major worry wart. Like, I freak out now when he hasn't moved or kicked me in longer than 10 minutes. 

I know. 

There is so much more that I want to share -the overdue post of families' reactions to finding out we were preggers, the overdue post of how we came to the name Emery, baby shower fun from my kindergarten team and my class, the end of the school year, the master bedroom progression, awesome nursery finds- but I just don't have the time right now.
As soon as school gets out, updates are coming! 

In the meantime, let me take a break though, in the midst of the chaos, and give you the 24 week update: 

Weight gain: 18 lbs (4 lbs from 20 to 24 week appointment). Pretty average and pretty much on target. I still do not feel any "extra" weight or sluggishness in my body aside from the obvious, my belly. Clothes, aside from in the chest and stomach, fit pretty much the same. 

Sleep: I have really good nights, like last night, when I sleep REALLY well, and only get up about 3 times total to pee. Then I have other nights where I seriously do not sleep, at all. I am so restless, tossing and turning, and up all night. Mainly from the back pain.  

Gender: B-O-Y, BOY!!! 

Name: Emery Anthony Edens!!! A blog post with the name explanation is still waiting in the wings....

Feeling: Still really good! I do love being pregnant. My reflux is pretty bad, along with my back pain, but they have each become such a part of my day-to-day routine, that I just deal and move on. I am taking Zantac for the reflux and nothing for the back pain. 

Cravings: Still nothing really...but maybe as of late, sweet tea??? Weird. Prior to pregnancy, I hadn't had a sweet tea in over 8+ years, and in the last month, it's like this thing that I crave. All the time. Who am I???? So weird. 
I have found pregnancy has brought me no cravings, but if anything, to beverages. 

Health: Exercise is the same - walking maybe 1 day a week, but up teaching kindergarten tirelessly until the end. It is a true, on your feet, 7 hour/5 day a week workout, no doubt. I am also eating a decent amount of fruits, veggies, and drinking more milk than I ever have in my life, I am proud to say. We are going through it fairly quickly at the Edens' house. I am also still in the habit of eating my delicious, 2 banana homemade smoothies 3 days a week for breakfast. 

I will be 28 weeks next Tuesday, and my next appointment is Thursday, June 12 for my glucose test, as well as my Rh-negative shot because only about 15% of myself and the US population are weirdos. :) 

24 Weeks...baby ear of corn. 

Until next week's appointment, I am coveting your prayers for a general good visit, but also for good results from my glucose test. I am not really worried about this; however, I do know that it's always a possibility. Also, as silly as it sounds, please pray that I am able to remain calm for my shot. I hate needles, and typically do not respond well.

I cannot tell you how much the constant love, support, encouragement, and kind words already about sweet Emery's life mean to us. Everyone is so thoughtful to always ask how I am doing, or how I am feeling, and I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful family and friends that love and care for our family so much.

If I forget to tell you, "thank you for asking," when you do, I definitely meant to say it.