You really like to keep things interesting don't you?  We went back to the doctor on Thursday only to be admitted to Labor and Delivery again. My blood pressure and protein was ok, but you only moved twice in 45 minutes. They wanted to do a more intensive ultrasound so they sent us over to the hospital, where we waited and waited. It's sad when the nurses know us and say Hey! You guys are here again? Why yes, we are.

Eventually the ultrasound nurse came in and they had to watch you for 30+ minutes on the screen. They were scoring you on certain things like muscle tone, fluid, something else and breathing. You did great on everything except you were stubborn when it came to the breathing part. You were supposed to breathe consistently for 30 seconds but you wouldn't do it. Your back was to us and you just weren't having it. Since you scored an 8 out of 10 we were sent home. I thought for sure you were going to come out that night but once again, we were sent home. It is back to the doctor on Tuesday with the hopes I don't get admitted again. Hard to believe you will be here in less than a week! 

I am still on bed rest. Mickey knows something is up and sometimes puts his head on my belly.

Your brother Torrin doesn't really understand why I can't do things. He has been very sweet to me. The other night he gave me a car to play with, then some Play-Doh and then a Mickey Mouse sticker to put on my wrist guards. He is always asking me if I am doing ok. One night he asked if he could lay with me:

Mickey, Camden and Torrin wanted to all be on the couch at the same time. I didn't want my face showing so I hid behind my phone :)

After I have you, I can't climb the stairs so we got an Aero Bed for the main floor. Torrin decided to snuggle with me as I was trying it out:

It is going to be weird not having you in my belly anymore. I am used to you being in there but I AM looking forward to eventually being comfortable again. I really hope my feet go back to their normal size otherwise Daddy will be buying me lots of shoes. I would also like feeling back in my hands! I will miss my shelf though for drinks:

I am amazed how my belly has grown. I have all sorts of new freckles, dark spots on my face, skin tags and the awful stretch marks that JUST showed up. I thought I was in the clear! 

I finally downloaded a pic of me at 35 weeks:

I am very nervous about your arrival but I hope you are a great baby! 

36 Weeks

Where do I even begin? So much has happened in the past two weeks!

On June 22nd, I went in for my regular check up at the doctor. My blood pressure was high and my right leg was still very swollen. After talking to the doctor, she decided to send me over to the Labor and Delivery unit to be monitored and to have an ultrasound of my leg to make sure there was no blood clot.  Thankfully there was no clot but they really scared me saying if you were a few weeks earlier, they may have done an emergency c section.

Daddy was on the golf course but he came over as soon as I called him. Here I am all hooked up in the triage unit. It is blurry :(

After them running blood tests and being monitored for a few hours, I was sent home on bed rest along with a huge jug to collect pee in. I had to collect it for 24 hours and wow, that was annoying. Do you know how often a pregnant woman goes potty? A lot. I was just hoping that I didn't mistake it for Orange Juice in the middle of the night. Thankfully, that did not happen. Here is the jug:

Camden saw me putting it in the fridge and he said it must be awkward giving the doctor all that pee. I said there are lots of things I have to show the doctor that are much more awkward :)

So that day began my time on bed rest. They told me I couldn't do anything but come to the doctor and get up to shower and use the restroom. I felt bad because that means Daddy has to take on a lot more! I don't like having people do everything for me so it has been a challenge. I feel guilty but there is nothing I can do. After I thought about it, I thought it might not be so bad. I could get caught up on emails and magazines. I could watch movies and TV. Well, not having feeling in my hands and feeling overall yucky has made this time into me basically laying on the couch or in bed all the time. There is no productivity but I have to go with how I feel.

The following Tuesday, Daddy and I went back to the doctor. My blood pressure was high again. They did an ultrasound to see where you were and how big you are. When you appeared on the screen, the ultrasound lady said "Oh, he's breech." I was shocked! I thought for sure you had moved, but no. You have stayed in the same spot the whole time. She said I would have a c section and I cried. A lot. It really scared me!  She said you were weighing 6lbs, plus or minus a pound. You are 59% percentile in weight, but your head is 94% percentile! Hopefully your body will catch up with your head! When we saw your profile Daddy said you had my lips! With everything that was going on, we left without the pictures of you!

After the ultrasound, they took me to labor and delivery again for more monitoring. I did more blood work, and got hooked up to the monitors again. After a few more hours, we were allowed to go home. The next day the doctor called and said my protein levels were high and I definitely had preeclampsia. She also said we would be scheduling my c section at the next doctor appointment which happened to be the next day.

Grandpa and Grandma sent some beautiful flowers to me:

Our dog is taking this bed rest thing very seriously:

More updates to come!

Almost 34 weeks

Time is flying by and I am getting bigger by the minute it seems. I must say, you are making daily life so difficult. My back aches, my knees hurt, and I am all around uncomfortable. Typing is hard because there is no feeling in my fingers and pain in my wrists. Not to mention, it is super hot outside. Being pregnant is apparently not something I am good at! It probably doesn't help that I am "AMA"- Advanced Maternal Age. This might have been easier 10 years ago.

Tomorrow you will be 34 weeks. In 3 weeks, you are considered full term. Daddy and I took childbirth prep classes this past Friday and Saturday. I think it freaked me out a little bit. I was glad to get a tour of where I will be having you, but it was scary to learn about all the pain that goes along with it. I hope you don't come so fast that I won't be allowed medication. Your mom thinks pain medicine is a beautiful thing, and I look forward to using it.

I can tell your are growing. Your feet or other limbs are in my ribs. It is hard to breathe. My right foot swells like no other. Check it out:

You are making me so queasy again. Man, I am complaining a lot, but this is just how it is. I feel bad because your brothers are not in school and want to do things, but I often do not feel well enough to go places. Torrin broke his arm a few weeks ago so he can't go to the pool, so that helps ease the guilt a little bit. I want them to have a good summer and I feel bad.

Daddy and I went to Hawaii. Thankfully Daddy got us upgraded to first class so that helped me a little bit. I still swelled. While in Hawaii I could not do much being so uncomfortable, but we did manage to see a good portion of the island. We did go in the pool, in the lazy river and in the saltwater lagoon. The feeling of weightlessness was fantastic. Hawaii was beautiful! Here is a picture of me at 31 weeks:

On June 10th, Nana, Aunt Denise and Aunt Noelle threw you a baby shower. About 28 people came and we got so many things! I was worried you did not have any clothes, but now I am thinking you have too many. Everyone but Nana, Aunt Denise and Aunt Noelle got you 3 month stuff so I had to exchange some of it for bigger sizes. Probably should have exchanged some more but I got into washing it all so that is not going to happen. I will post some pictures of the shower sometime....we can hope. 

I have been feeling overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done for your room. There is nothing on the walls, some clothes are washed, your stroller is put together, but I feel like your room is a total disaster. I don't have a baby book for you and I am scared I am not going to be ready for you. I hope you enjoy sleep as much as I do. To top it all off, today I ironed some of your bedding. I was not thinking and touched the iron to a place I shouldn't have. Now it is ruined but with the mattress on top, no one will see it. Whoopsie. 

We are so thankful for your Nana and Papa. They have given you so much! Nana took me to Babies R Us and got us some more things off the registry. Grandpa and Grandma have been very generous as well. You are so lucky to have so many people love you!

People keep telling me I am huge. They ask if I am due any day now, if there are twins, etc. It is frustrating. I know I am big-do I need to hear it every day? I will be curious to see when you arrive!

30 Weeks

I always think of lots of things to write about as the days go by, but when I take the time to sit down and type, I can't really think of anything. Must be this pregnancy brain thing. I put our dog's measuring spoon somewhere but could not find it anywhere. I eventually found it in your brother's pool bag. Not sure what it was doing in there. I also lost the medicine Mickey needs for his allergies. No clue where that went. It has been a trying time remembering things!

I went to the doctor the other day and I heard your heartbeat again. I was worried you were not moving all that much but the doctor said if you move at least 12 times a day, you are fine. You definitely move 12 or more times a day. Usually when I am trying to sleep or do nothing. This past weekend I was in a lot of pain. I felt like I had been kicked in the ribs. I called the doctors office. They did not have any idea what it could be since there were no other symptoms. Just pain. Perhaps you put your foot in my rib? It was really bad all weekend but it got better as the days went by. It still hurts, but not nearly like it did over the weekend.

The newest thing you have are the hiccups. I felt them for the first time when I was out to dinner with my friends. They all have kids so I asked what I was feeling and they said it was the hiccups. In a week, you have had them 4 times. It is a funny feeling!

Some old pregnancy symptoms have returned. Heartburn and nausea being two of them. I hate it! I am also still swelling and still annoyed at how many people tell me that! Daddy and I go to Hawaii on Monday (well, you are coming along as well) and I am really hoping I do ok on the long flight. This is the last airplane trip for a long time! It is hard to believe you will be here in two months. Please be a good baby and enjoy sleep. That would be great.

Still have not had a chance to do a picture with the board lately. Here are some pictures of me at Aunt Megan and Uncle Tyler's wedding 2 weeks ago. Note to self: Dancing to Footloose at 28 weeks pregnant was not the best idea.

You have started to respond to loud noises as well. The other night Daddy and I went to see the Super Heroes movie, The Avengers. I know Daddy loves Super Heroes and I am sure you will too, but that kind of movie is so not my thing. It was very loud and I had never felt you move more! Every time there was a loud noise, you kicked or punched me. I am also starting to feel you flip. Let's just hope you are in the right position when it is time to come into this world.

Daddy has been helping out a lot around the house and that has been a big relief. I appreciate the help so much! Cleaning is getting harder and harder so I need to let go of the fact that the floors needs to be clean all the time. At least the laundry is getting done, and the main things are clean.

Your baby shower is coming up soon. We have already received some nice presents from people. Grandpa and Grandma got you your stroller and the extra base for Daddy's car. Yesterday the video monitored came and it was also from them. It was a nice surprise!  Nana and Papa buy you things all the time too! You have a new high chair ready for when you can use it, a good supply of diapers, clothes, bedding, etc. You are lucky to have so many people that love you!

We are not able to have another ultrasound until we are 36 weeks along. Daddy and I wish we could see where you are at!  The doctors office charges $500 or more. We thought about going back to the 4D place to see how you have grown but I am not sure if we will do that. I can't wait to see what you look like!

I am starting to get more and more anxiety about your arrival. Will I know when it is time to go to the hospital? How will delivery be? What kind of baby will you be? So many questions. We might take a birthing class to calm some of my fears but I am not sure about that either. I just hope you are a happy and healthy baby!

28 Weeks

Your mother is not normally someone who is filled with anger, but lately, anger is a common emotion. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it is when complete strangers tell me I am HUGE. Yesterday I went to get a massage and the lady asked, "Are you SURE you are not having twins?" Yes but thanks for pointing it out. My clothes are not fitting and I really do not want to buy more things since there are only 2.5 months left. Finding something to wear for your Aunt Megan's wedding this weekend was a challenge. I bought lots of things and then returned them all. I felt like a circus tent.

Two weeks ago I went to your Aunt Noelle's house to work on my scrapbook. When I got home there was a note on the counter:

When we went to Disneyland in January, Daddy bought me a Mickey Mouse doll and a Minnie Mouse doll. Both were embroidered with Baby Forrest 2012 on it. He got me one of each because we did not know if you were a boy or a girl. The note was telling me to go check on Baby Forrest-aka: Mickey Mouse doll.

While I was gone, Daddy, Camden, Torrin, Nana, Papa and your cousin Mikaya put together your room for me. It was a nice surprise. Here is a pic of the before:

Here are some pics of the after. Nothing is on the walls yet, you still need curtains, and I need to wash the bedding and put it all together.

I need to get a chair for me to nurse you in. It is weighing heavily on my mind because they are pricey! I was uncertain about the color of your room. It is growing on me. When Camden saw it he said, "Oooooh, is that Robin's Egg Blue?" Too funny. 

Your brothers are taking more of an interest of you. Camden talks to you by name, and the other day when I said you were kicking me, Torrin yelled, "Stop kicking my stepmom!" Camden always wants to feel you move but whenever he touches my belly, you stop. The other night I had Daddy push on my belly and you kicked. I was expecting a sweet moment but he thought it was weird :) It is weird feeling you kick me but it lets me know you are doing ok. 

You don't move as much as most babies so I told the doctor that when I went in on Friday for my blood test. She had me get hooked up to the monitors in a big comfy chair:

Every time I felt you move, I had to hit a button. For awhile you weren't doing much, but then they gave me some juice and you moved a little more. They said everything was fine. That same day I had my gestational diabetes test and was certain I had it, but they just called and I don't! I don't know if I have ever been so happy to have passed a test before!

This weekend Daddy, Camden and Torrin decided to put together your stroller and car seat.

Daddy was pretty proud of himself when it was completed:

It's nice to know that is finished. It is also so great that we are getting things from people like a Bumbo seat and a bathtub. This way we don't have to buy those things!

Lately I have been very uncomfortable. I wasn't sleeping well so my doctor gave me Ambien which is a gift from Heaven! Seriously amazing. She said it is safe so lets hope she knows what she is talking about! My sciatic pain is bad, I can't breathe all that well and the Carpal Tunnel is so severe, they want me to go see a hand surgeon. I can't feel my fingers and there are just sharp shooting pains up and down my arms and in my wrists. I really hope this goes away after you arrive.

It is hard to believe there are only 12 more weeks to go. I wish I could have an ultrasound so I know what you look like now, but they won't do that unless there is something wrong.

Tomorrow Daddy and I are off to Hilton Head South Carolina for Aunt Megan's wedding weekend. Be kind to me :)

26 Weeks

Just a few minutes ago, I saw you move in my belly on the outside for the first time. It was strange but also really cool! I finally decided to sit down and put my feet up, and I look down and see my belly moving! 

You have been a lot more active. I am not sure what exactly you are hitting me with. The last time we went to the doctor, your feet were on the right side of my belly. I don't feel anything there, I only feel it  about two inches below my belly button. Is that your arm? A leg? I am not sure. 

I am having lots of not so fun side effects from the pregnancy. I now have to wear wrist guards all the time to help with the numbness I feel in my fingers and hands. I may have already written that. My sciatica is bad and the worst thing is I am having a terrible time breathing. Not being able to breathe makes it hard for me to sleep. I think I got a total of 2 hours last night. 

Daddy and I went to Philadelphia and New Jersey last week. There are certain foods you can only get back East and every time I had one of those foods, you started moving around like crazy. Daddy said it is because you didn't like those foods but I think it is because you loved them!  

While there, we stopped by the Liberty Bell. Here I am at 25 weeks pregnant:

I am amazed at how many people tell me how big I am. The lady at Walgreens asked me when I was due. I told her, and she replied, "Are you sure you are not having twins? You are huge!"  Last night I was at a store to check out diaper bags and the sales associate said, "You must be having your baby any day now. Look how swollen you are!" Do people really need to point those things out to me? I do think I am bigger than most people but there is nothing I can do. 

While in Philly we got to see your Great Aunt Lorraine and your second and third cousins. We all went to  dinner and they got you lots of nice presents. I need to take pictures of the gifts! Here is a picture of all of us:

More to come when there is more to report!

24 Weeks

It is hard to believe that I am 6 months pregnant already! Sure, I look it but time has gone by really fast.

We went to the doctor today. I told her about my fingers and hands being numb. Apparently I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of the pregnancy. I have to wear wrist braces all day and night. I will need to go to Target to purchase them. I just keep getting more and more attractive!

Speaking of attractive, look at what my feet did while we were on the plane back from Germany:

It took a few days for that to go down!

Anyway, back to the doctors appointment. I told the doctor that I was not feeling you move yet. I said I thought the bubble I feel in my belly might be you but I wasn't 100% sure. When she went to listen to your heartbeat, she pushed the doppler into my belly and she asked "Did you feel that? Because I just did!" You gave me two big kicks as if to say, "Get out of my space Doc!" It was nice to confirm your movement. So all those other times I felt those "bubbles"-I am pretty sure it was you! Crazy to think the first time I felt you was in Switzerland on the way up the mountain! Last night I think you also gave me a huge kick while I was sitting on the couch. You are finally making your presence known!