35 weeks!

35 weeks? Already? Yikes! Have a million things to do - and feel like I've already done a million things to get ready for Sweet Pea's arrival! How can one little baby need so much?

I have an appointment with a potential pediatrician lined up. I want to make sure that she'll let me follow the vaccination schedule I want - I don't see any need to give a little baby so many shots all at once, so I want to spread them out. It might mean more trips to the doctor's office, but it'll be worth it in the long run.

Speaking of trips to the doctor's office - Sweet Pea almost failed her NST last week! She decided it was nap time and refused to wake up, even when they buzzed her 4 times. Finally, as the technician left to go get the doctor, she woke up and had 2 nice heart rate accelerations and a couple of movements, so they let me pass. Have another one next week, then a busy week after that. Ultrasound, NST, strep B test, OB appt, and GD appt - all on the same day! (Really hoping everyone is running on time that day.) On the day of the big appointments, I think the goal is to figure out when and how Sweet Pea is arriving. Let's hope she's not too big!

Sweet Pea is still moving around a lot. Every morning I get to watch her settle into her favorite position and my belly button move off center. When I wake up, it's in the middle of my tummy but after she moves, it's a good 1-2" off center! So much fun to watch - after she arrives, I'm really going to miss feeling her move around inside me. However, I can't wait to hold her and snuggle with her!

Nellie's brother and I are doing okay - it's still hard, we both still cry pretty easily, but know she's in a better place and not hurting any more. Every once in a while, we'll still look around for her and her brother calls out to her often, but lately it's been like he's talking to her. I really like to think that she is here in spirit with us.

Jonelle "Nellie"

Jonelle "Nellie"

May 6, 1995 - May 11, 2010

I lost one of my beloved 3 little kittens today. Nellie, my beautiful frosted calico, fought a courageous battle against cancer but it was too strong for her. She held on longer than her doctor and I thought possible, probably trying to get me as far into the pregnancy as she could. She is survived by her biological brother, her adopted sister, me (her mommy), and a soon-to-be-born sister.

During her 15 years, she fought many battles and won. She had severe allergic reactions to food, several bouts of illnesses, diabetes, renal failure, had a couple of surgeries including needing a feeding tube a couple of years ago, and was able to triumph over all of those diseases. Unfortunately, she had already used up her 9 lives (and maybe more) and the cancer was untreatable. This afternoon she passed away peacefully. She was so much more than a "pet" to me - she was my baby and I'm going to miss her so much!

The above is one of the many pictures I have of her. This one is from this past Christmas, while she's "opening" her present. Bows were her favorite toy - she spent so much time playing with it on Christmas day that the fur around her mouth turned pink. So cute!

Nellie, my pretty girl, rest in peace. I'll miss you!

So many appointments!

Seems like all I've done this past week is go to doctor appointments. Since being diagnosed with GD, I've had more appointments than I've expected. And, unfortunately, most of them have been a waste of time (my last GD appointment/class consisted of a half hour lecture on trimming the fat off of meat - wasted time since I'm a vegetarian!). They just don't listen to me, so they prescribed insulin which is making my levels go too low. Also, they expect me to eat more carbs than I'm used to, which fills me up too fast and is making me miss some of the protein and veggies than I (and Sweet Pea) need. So, I'm getting scolded for not eating enough and also for not taking all of the insulin they want me to, but I know my body best and know it can't be good for my levels to go that low. So far, I've only been seeing the nurses - I'm looking forward to talking to the doctor Monday and getting accurate information.

There are some new appointments that I enjoy, though. With the GD comes weekly ob appointments and non-stress tests, which are kind of fun. I just get to sit there for a half hour and listen to Sweet Pea's heartbeat - such a wonderful sound! (today she also had the hiccups - so fun to listen to and feel at the same time.) Afterwards I will always have to see a doctor, so it's giving me a lot of opportunities to try out the different doctors in the practice. The gestational diabetes also means that I'll get to see her a couple more times - yes, I get at least 1 more ultrasound and probably 2 :) I was also told to expect her to come around 39 weeks, so only 7 more to go! The time is flying by!

Also had a fun "class" this week - I went to the Happiest Baby on the Block class and am now an expert on the 5 s's (swaddling, side, shhh-ing, swinging, and sucking). Hope they keep Sweet Pea happy after she arrives!