www.ubi-baby.com awesome changing table
www.mydwinkbox.com cool drink holder
www.babykick.com baby kick tracking sysytem for high-risk pregnancies
www.familycordbloodservices.com cord blood storage
Monday, April 30, 2007
Baby Celebration 2007
Yesterday, Daniel and I went to the LA Convention Center for Baby Celebration 2007. We were glad we don't know the sex of the baby yet because we knew we would be tempted to buy a bunch of stuff if we knew. This way, we just walked around and saw all that was available. They had a $4,000.00 pram there that was being raffled. Daniel and I went from booth to booth signing up for all the cool stuff. The thing we were most interested in was cord blood storage. We wanted to learn about it and when we did, we were pretty shocked at the initial cost. Some places were up to $2,500 dollars to collect the cord blood and process and transfer it to storage, then it's like 125 per year to store. We knew this was something we were interested in but couldn't imagine coming up with that kind of money, and it's not something you can really register for as a shower gift. We walked out feeling like we spent alot of money to get in, park and then we walked out with nothing to show for it. No special deals we were able to take advantage of, no cute little outfits or fancy gadgets for baby, just me and Daniel the way we walked in, we walked out.
Well, this morning, we were sitting here and Daniel was getting ready for work and the phone rang. It was Joanie from the cord blood bank.
WE WON THE RAFFLE!!!
We couldn't even believe it! This was the booth we were most interested in because some were out of state, but this one was connected with Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. They are going to send us the kit and all we have to do is hand the kit to the doctor at birth, call the carrier when the baby is born and they come out right away no matter what time or day and they rush the cord to be processed and stored. All free and free storage for the first year! What an amazing blessing! We can't even believe it ... what a charmed life we live! We are so excited. Well, tomorrow, we go for another ultrasound. This should be the first "normal" one I get to have. I invited my mom and dad to come and watch, so they will meet Daniel and I there. I will post the picture of our little one, hoping it makes better sense to all of you than the last one ;-)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Met our Doctor today
Well, after spending all day yesterday in ER with Daniel, today was an amazing, uplifting reward. We got to meet our doctor and hear the baby's heartbeat. She said all my tests came back normal. I have only gained 1 pound since my last visit, and I am doing great. No gestational diabetes showing up, blood is good, no problems. Baby measured the right size for this time. She also put me at ease on a lot of the issues I was having.
She asked if I had any questions or concerns and I told her that my brother & his wife had 5 miscarriages and my sister had preterm labor at 24 weeks first baby, and 18 weeks second baby. I don't know if there are things that are hereditary that could be causing problems for me, so I asked if there were any tests I could take or anything I can be aware of or on the lookout for. She immediately ordered an ultrasound every 2 weeks to keep close tabs on any changes. The upside to that is I get to watch our baby every 2 weeks on the monitor! What an amazing gift! I am so excited for this opportunity. One thing I was surprised at was that she did not try and force me to take all the "over 35 and pregnant" tests. I was so relieved that she didn't pressure me to do amniocentesis or anything else invasive!
I fell down the stairs the other day - I came all the way down from the top floor, made the first level fine, made the second level fine and then on the way down to the garage, I slipped and started bouncing down while continuing to lose my footing. Daniel was right in front of me and unable to get to me in time and I landed on my rear midway down the flight of stairs! Hearing that little heartbeat today was extra special!
I am more at ease knowing that my shortness of breath is normal as is my racing heart. Baby requires blood and oxygen, so my body is doing exactly what it should be doing. Thank God.
Well, that's the latest and greatest. Our little baby is hangin' on!!! Thanks for all your prayers, especially those of you who prayed us through ER yesterday. Daniel is recovering nicely and watching his beloved Dodgers, so life is getting back to normal.
She asked if I had any questions or concerns and I told her that my brother & his wife had 5 miscarriages and my sister had preterm labor at 24 weeks first baby, and 18 weeks second baby. I don't know if there are things that are hereditary that could be causing problems for me, so I asked if there were any tests I could take or anything I can be aware of or on the lookout for. She immediately ordered an ultrasound every 2 weeks to keep close tabs on any changes. The upside to that is I get to watch our baby every 2 weeks on the monitor! What an amazing gift! I am so excited for this opportunity. One thing I was surprised at was that she did not try and force me to take all the "over 35 and pregnant" tests. I was so relieved that she didn't pressure me to do amniocentesis or anything else invasive!
I fell down the stairs the other day - I came all the way down from the top floor, made the first level fine, made the second level fine and then on the way down to the garage, I slipped and started bouncing down while continuing to lose my footing. Daniel was right in front of me and unable to get to me in time and I landed on my rear midway down the flight of stairs! Hearing that little heartbeat today was extra special!
I am more at ease knowing that my shortness of breath is normal as is my racing heart. Baby requires blood and oxygen, so my body is doing exactly what it should be doing. Thank God.
Well, that's the latest and greatest. Our little baby is hangin' on!!! Thanks for all your prayers, especially those of you who prayed us through ER yesterday. Daniel is recovering nicely and watching his beloved Dodgers, so life is getting back to normal.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Mr Sandman, give me a dream ...
I am now 11 weeks pregnant. I don't know what it will take to convince me this is real. The other day I asked Daniel, "Do you think it's possible they have a tape of a baby moving and they show the same tape to all the women who get ultrasounds?' He said, "Honey, how do you explain the part where she pushed on you and we saw the baby jump?" I said, " Daniel! They have seen that video a hundred times! They know exactly when to push!"
Granted, I said that when I was totally sleep deprived. Which brings me to my next topic. I haven't been sleeping very well. I have been having anxiety attacks and also springtime has triggered my allergies, which when you are having problems breathing in the first place, panic is not a good companion to add to the mix. Then, with all of that happening, the sleep deprivation has jump-started my fibromyalgia symptoms. Add to that pregnancy hormones and you have a volatile mix of fear-based emotions.
I have been praying, and asking friends for prayer, as well. The last 2 weeks, I have slept about 3 hours a night, with some nights of zero shut-eye. I haven't even been able to nap during the day. Then when night comes, I am so full of anxiety in anticipation of not sleeping, I work myself into a panic. Now, when you are me, who likes to be in control, this lack of control over my body and mind is terrifying. I almost asked Daniel to take me to ER and just drop me off and tell them I am crazy. Finally, by God's grace, alone, I was able to sleep for 5 hours on Friday night, then 6 hours on Saturday night and last night I actually slept 7 hours, then got up to use the restroom, and then went back to sleep for about 2 more hours! God be praised! I feel like I have overcome some crazy hurdle and am back in the land of the living. My mind is clear, I am able to form full sentences, I am not agitated today, and I took time to call the women's center and ask for help.
They said that it is totally normal, it is just hormones, they can come and go, they can maybe lessen after the first trimester, or they may be here the entire 9 months. I think just knowing I am not crazy is a big help. I kept reciting the verse: "perfect Love casts out all fear" to myself knowing that every time Jesus was tempted or tormented by Satan, He would say a verse out loud to combat the enemy. I know that the Word of God is the Sword of the spirit, and I use it daily to strengthen myself.
I am so thankful that Daniel is understanding, patient and persevering. He tells me to wake him up so he can sit with me, or pray with me or just talk to me, but he is currently working 2 jobs, so I try to avoid waking him at any cost. My friend, Amanda, has put herself on 24/7 availability for me and said no matter what I need, just call her any time. I haven't done it yet (the 3AM phone call) I think just knowing someone is there is also a help.
I think that becoming pregnant for the first time in your 40's is so different than being pregnant in your early 20's. The perspective is completely different, and the worries and fears are different than what I remember my friends talking about years ago. There is so much ignorant bliss and hope when you are in your 20's and healthy. What a blessing it must be. I know that regardless of my age, or my attitude, God is really still the One in charge of the making of this baby. All I can do is take care of myself the best I can and entrust the rest to Him. I know that it has been a little rough on me the last few weeks, but also, I am thankful for the relief I feel today and the people who have prayed me through it.
29 more weeks to go ... hang on little baby!
Granted, I said that when I was totally sleep deprived. Which brings me to my next topic. I haven't been sleeping very well. I have been having anxiety attacks and also springtime has triggered my allergies, which when you are having problems breathing in the first place, panic is not a good companion to add to the mix. Then, with all of that happening, the sleep deprivation has jump-started my fibromyalgia symptoms. Add to that pregnancy hormones and you have a volatile mix of fear-based emotions.
I have been praying, and asking friends for prayer, as well. The last 2 weeks, I have slept about 3 hours a night, with some nights of zero shut-eye. I haven't even been able to nap during the day. Then when night comes, I am so full of anxiety in anticipation of not sleeping, I work myself into a panic. Now, when you are me, who likes to be in control, this lack of control over my body and mind is terrifying. I almost asked Daniel to take me to ER and just drop me off and tell them I am crazy. Finally, by God's grace, alone, I was able to sleep for 5 hours on Friday night, then 6 hours on Saturday night and last night I actually slept 7 hours, then got up to use the restroom, and then went back to sleep for about 2 more hours! God be praised! I feel like I have overcome some crazy hurdle and am back in the land of the living. My mind is clear, I am able to form full sentences, I am not agitated today, and I took time to call the women's center and ask for help.
They said that it is totally normal, it is just hormones, they can come and go, they can maybe lessen after the first trimester, or they may be here the entire 9 months. I think just knowing I am not crazy is a big help. I kept reciting the verse: "perfect Love casts out all fear" to myself knowing that every time Jesus was tempted or tormented by Satan, He would say a verse out loud to combat the enemy. I know that the Word of God is the Sword of the spirit, and I use it daily to strengthen myself.
I am so thankful that Daniel is understanding, patient and persevering. He tells me to wake him up so he can sit with me, or pray with me or just talk to me, but he is currently working 2 jobs, so I try to avoid waking him at any cost. My friend, Amanda, has put herself on 24/7 availability for me and said no matter what I need, just call her any time. I haven't done it yet (the 3AM phone call) I think just knowing someone is there is also a help.
I think that becoming pregnant for the first time in your 40's is so different than being pregnant in your early 20's. The perspective is completely different, and the worries and fears are different than what I remember my friends talking about years ago. There is so much ignorant bliss and hope when you are in your 20's and healthy. What a blessing it must be. I know that regardless of my age, or my attitude, God is really still the One in charge of the making of this baby. All I can do is take care of myself the best I can and entrust the rest to Him. I know that it has been a little rough on me the last few weeks, but also, I am thankful for the relief I feel today and the people who have prayed me through it.
29 more weeks to go ... hang on little baby!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)