Trip to Triage

What pregnancy is complete without a trip to OB triage? It's funny, because just last week I was thinking to myself, "Wow, you are doing really good. No crazy trips to triage!". I had already been a couple of times at this point with Jillian. Guess I congratulated myself too soon, because I ended up spending a long four hours there late last night. It all began in church yesterday, when as I was sitting quietly, started to notice some contraction-like feelings. Not painful, but not comfortable, and my back was hurting. I shook it off and thought I'd feel better after lunch, lots of water, and a long nap. No such luck. This of course happened to be the day Matt was  moonlighting about an hour away, so I just tried to go about my day with Jillian and not read too much into it. I really started to wonder if it was just normal to get them in subsequent pregnancies, but I couldn't remember ever noticing them this early with Jillian. The day went on, and they just continued. Matt came home just as I put Jillian to bed and scolded me for not calling the nurse about my little pains. So I did, and of course, that call bought me a trip to triage. I headed in about 8 and was there until nearly midnight for the full work up. I got two different types of ultrasounds (one to check baby, one to check/measure thickness and length of cervix), the most painful, horrible speculum exam of my life, and the ever-tortuous cath to obtain the cleanest possible urine sample to check for any urinary infections. Four hours of poking, prodding, and waiting. Thankfully, all was well. Baby looks good, no infections, and my cervix is long and closed as it should be. I was sent home to try and rest (I just find it hilarious that this is even suggested to the mother of a 2 year old!), and drink lots of water, and was instructed to call the clinic today if they were still happening. I called this morning because I was still experiencing the same feelings. The nurse both reassured me and scared me at the same time. She reassured me in that she told me that your uterus is more irritable in subsequent pregnancies, making you more susceptible to earlier contractions and back pain. She scared me in that she scolded me for continuing to do laundry, make meals, and care for my two year old when I was supposed to be resting (ummm, who does she propose takes care of all of that??) and said that if I overdo it I could go into pre-term labor. I'm not really interested in that. Matt told me that is bogus, but that I do need to be more mindful of sitting and resting when I can. He also gently reminded me that it is fine with him if we just order pizza for dinner.

Drumroll Please.....

We had our 18 week anatomy scan this morning, and the results are in: it's another girl at the Howe house! I couldn't be more thrilled, and now I can reveal to the world that I secretly wanted another girl. I know many people might think that's odd, since it does seem "perfect" to have one of each, but perhaps those people don't know the secret of sisters. I have two sisters, and though it's true they can push my buttons like no other, I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are the best gift my parents ever gave me, and I can't imagine not having them in my life. I am so happy that Jillian will have a sister, and that this baby will have a sister in Jillian. It is difficult to put into words, but I think there is just something extra special about being a woman and having a sister. What a fantastic blessing. 

I admit I was worried at first about what Matt really thought about another girl. Wouldn't he really want a son? When I asked him this question he replied, "I always thought I would be the kind of guy who needed a son, but now that I have a girl, I know how great it is and I am glad we are having another one". So there you have it, daughter #2, proof that your daddy loves having little girls! 

It is difficult not to focus on gender discovery during this big scan, but we heard great news about lots more important stuff as far as baby cooking goes. The scan was normal by all accounts, and all of her major organ systems, etc are functioning and forming as they should. It is an enormous relief to see this, and so difficult to comprehend the miracle of it all. If you stop and think about it, that's what it really is. 

After the scan we met with Dr. J and discussed how the pregnancy is going, and had another due date conversation. The baby measured right in line with my original due date of June 25th, so that is something for us to be aware of. They will not, however, officially change the revised due date of July 1 from the first scan at this point. I expressed my actual fears about the due date discrepancy with Dr J, which relate to my Factor V Leiden and the problems that can occur in an overdue pregnancy. He laid my fears to rest when he said we'd be talking about a potential induction at 39 weeks if my cervix was soft and ready. I then told him I'd quit bugging him about changing my due date from here on out :) Other info from the appt includes continued good blood pressure (104/58), and a 3 lb weight gain (total of 7 lbs). Yahoo! This was much better than I anticipated given my current snack choices (see previous post). I'll return in four weeks for another check. Finally, here's what you really came for....some pics of our daughter.

Legs--if you know your anatomy, you can see her tibia and fibula nicely

Two wittle feet

Lady parts! (Arrow pointing between legs)

Beautiful profile

Alien face. Still. I can't wait to see her sweet cheeks in person.

Chips and Ice Cream

I am consuming a lot of chips and ice cream these days. Not at the same time, just strategically across the day. When Jillian naps, I tend to take a nap too. I have a million other things to do, but fatigue and common sense force me to take the rest time. When I wake, I usually have about a half hour or so before I can expect her to rise, and this is my secret snack time. These last several days I have found myself devouring a large bowl of Lays Sour Cream and Cheddar chips (impulse buy when I saw the sale) and an ice cold caffeine-free diet coke. My grammy would be proud. She loved herself an afternoon snack of chips and a soda. I never buy chips, because Matt is a salt lover and would eat them in no time flat. Now, I am the one craving that salty crunch. It's important to balance out that saltiness with some sweetness, though, don't you think? This brings me to my bedtime snack. Enter Breyer's Chocolate Ice Cream. This is my weapon of choice these days. I get the biggest glass I can find, pack it to the top with ice cream, add a splash of milk, and stir until it's a bit softened. Oh my. Just the perfect potion for a pregnant woman's night cap. I am sure my weight gain is not going to be pretty at my appt tomorrow.

Movement

I've been suspicious that I've been feeling movement for the last couple of weeks, but not entirely certain. I was less certain after the scan with Emily, because she told me that my placenta is anteriorly positioned (like it was with Jillian), and is mostly on the left side of my abdomen. All the suspicious movement I thought I felt had been on the left side. Last night, as we flew home from FL (specifically the Detroit to MSP leg), I felt definite kicking going on. This time, it was on the lower right side, where I know my placenta is not. The feeling was no less marvelous the second time around. Truly, a miraculous event. Bring it, baby!

Sneaking a Peek

As you might recall, we are impatient when it comes to learning the sex of our children. Luckily, we have access to those who can help us cheat! Our friend, Emily, agreed to scan us again (we looked at Jillian several times with her) and we were excited to get another peek at number2. I was especially excited because I am amidst a 6-week stretch between appts, and that is just too long for a pregnant woman to know if her babe is doing OK in there. I loaded Jillian up after her nap today, and we headed downtown to "daddy's work" to meet Daddy and Emily. I was armed with every possible sugary and interesting snack to keep her occupied in the stroller as scanned.  As was the case with Jillian, this baby was ever so uncooperative when it came to showing us "the goods". Matt and Emily did NOT see a penis, and therefore have a strong feeling this is another girl, but cannot be sure. The baby wasn't in the best position, and conveniently liked to wave his/her hand down between its legs to taunt us. I am not going to get attached to the idea of another girl until I know for sure. What I do know is that all major anatomical structures look as they should at this point, and for that, we are grateful. Here are a few pics of the baby at around 16 weeks.

View from the side, looking at most of the body

Straight on shot of the face. Looking appropriately like an alien.

 My favorite.....you can count 5 beautiful fingers

 Sweet little profile

Hungry

Watch out, world, this momma is hungry again! I feel like I am in recovery mode, and I just need to eat everything I can get my hands on. I have a sudden need for Pizza Hut pan cheese pizza, and chips and onion dip. Evening dessert time is back in full swing, and I'm eating quite a bit of ice cream these days. Asian food sounds good again,and I devoured some chicken and rice noodles with peanut sauce that I made earlier this week, along with about a gazillion eggrolls I decided need to accompany the dish. Coffee tastes delightful again, and I find myself at Starbucks most days to get a grande decaf nonfat latte (it pains me to order it unleaded because I am so darn tired, but I figure I get enough caffeine from the chocolate desserts I consume). Breakfast is about the only meal of the day where I don't pig out, and really, that is just plain backwards. Green vegetables in the form of crisp salads are beginning to make their way back into this house. I've been preparing green vegetables as usual, but couldn't seem to touch them once on my plate. That is not setting a very good example for my green food resistant two year old, now is it? Matt is thankful that the "creamy noodle pasta dish" days seem to be over (was the same in the first trimester with Jillian), and that our dinner menu looks much more varied now. It feels good to enjoy eating again. I'm not so sure it will feel good to step on the scale at my next OB appt...

Merry Christmas

I'd like to thank this fetus for giving me the best Christmas gift of all....the first day in nearly two months where I did not dry heave or vomit. That is all.