D-Day

Alright already... I have been lectured, asked, and begged to put some pictures on this darn blog... I am sorry for the delay. We have been doing good... well, everyone but me. I'll spare you the details. All you need to know is that after several trips to the pharmacy and lots of help from friends, neighbors, and family -- I am on the mend and feeling much, much better. THANK YOU everyone. You know who you are.

Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

The morning of May 24th arrived. We weren't quite ready for the new addition to our little family, but more ready than we were the week before. Scotty went into work for an hour or two and Lucas and I got ready for the day ahead. We dropped Lucas off at my moms and headed in to the hospital. I have always found it interesting that we go to the hospital to sign up for pain. It's bizarre. 

"Hi. My name is Anya. I am here for you to put a massive needle in my back, numb me up to my chest so I feel like I can't breathe, and cut my stomach open. When can we get started?!" 

Does anyone else think it's strange? Enough of that.

Like the puffy face? That"s what happens when you are nine months pregnant and the nurses give you 3 liters of fluid. 

Scotty all ready for the Operating Room.

They had the Newborn ICU nurses there to assess Millie. Perhaps a little over kill, but hey if the diabetes card can get my kid a little more expertise, I am all over it!

I am realizing now that we didn't get the first family photo with me on the OR table with the hubby and newborn. Maybe its better that way.

Change in plans...

I went in for my amnio today. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Uncomfortable? Sure. But, not bad. 

At 2pm I received a call from my OBGYN. You know when the doctor calls you himself it's not good. 

He had a "little bit of good news, but mostly bad".

(those were his words, verbatim)

My amniotic fluid showed that the baby's lungs weren't ready yet. The good news is that I don't have to have another amnio. The bad news is we aren't having a baby tomorrow. We are having a baby Monday at noon. So... another week until the little babe comes to our family.

.the countdown.

It's official. I have my repeat C-section date set for Wednesday, May 19th. This will put me at 37 weeks and a few days along. Because I will be 3 weeks early, I'll have to have an amniocentesis the morning before to see if Baby Neidig's lungs are mature enough to join us.

I have reached the uncomfortable part of pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful and happy for a normal healthy pregnancy, however getting up to pee every 2 hours at night and a constant back ache aren't consistent with a restful night of sleep. (When I actually get to sleep! Ha!)

The kitchen is nearly done. The sink, dishwasher, and waterline to the fridge were installed today! Thank goodness! There are still finishing touches, but for the most part -- we have a kitchen. 

Stay tuned for all of the remodel pictures and the big reveal! I am loving my new kitchen!!!

Non Stress Test (NST)

Starting at 30 weeks pregnant, I have the pleasure of completing Non Stress Tests (NST's) twice a week at Intermountain Medical Center (IMC). The experience itself isn't bad at all... it's the preparation. I have to find a sitter for Lucas while I am gone. Since I already find sitters for him for the mornings after I work... it's a little difficult. It's even better when I see my doctor that week. That means 3 trips to the hospital in one week. It's not that family and friends aren't willing... I just feel guilty that I continue to ask for help over and over.

Recently, I have resorted to doing NST's after I work a night shift. So, after I haven't slept all night I drive myself over to IMC for a NST at 8:30am... then hopefully home by 9:30am to catch a few hours of shut eye. Next week however, I have a NST at 8:30am and then an appt. with my OBGYN at 9:30am... so home to sleep at 10:00am if I am lucky! The good part about seeing my OB after my NST is that I only have to go to IMC 2 times that week instead of 3. I think the nurses that do my NST must laugh at me as I fall asleep in the cozy chair so quickly after I lay down. That's what I get for being 34 weeks pregnant and working night shifts.

Scott has never been to an NST... so this post is just as much for him as it would be for anyone else that cares to see what actually happens at my NST's.

First up: Checking amniotic fluid levels via ultrasound.

Second up: Getting hooked up to 2 monitors (these are the same monitors you wear when you are in labor at the hospital. Basically, one measures heart rate accelerations of your baby and the other one measures contractions. We are looking for a baseline heart rate and then at least 2 accelerations in 20 minutes. They don't care much about the contractions unless you are having consistent and regular contractions.

My comfy chair to sit in, read in, sleep in for 20-40 minutes depending on how cooperative the baby would like to be that day.

And finally, the curtain that I stare at and wait.

My NST's are going well thus far. Baby Girl is moving and having accelerations like an champ. Most NST's take 20 minutes, which is the minimum time she has to be monitored. My fluid levels are at a good level still, but continue to slowly drop. This is a normal part of pregnancy, however they are watching it closely. Basically, I have to drink more and do less. So, I guess sealing my new tile floor and weeding the flower beds is off the agenda for the weekend.

Spaghetti Squash

Just in case you wondered or cared... baby girl Neidig is now the length of a Spaghetti Squash. I love how on Baby Center they always compare the size of your fetus to a food item. Last time I checked there were different sizes of Spaghetti Squash depending on how long I let it over grow in my garden. At any rate... I am now 22 weeks! Time is flying by... I started feeling the babe move around 20-21 weeks (a little later than most I think). I probably felt what I thought was gas earlier on. Anyway, I went to the doctor today. Measuring fine. Gained weight, fab. Heard the heart rate. Docs proud of my blood sugars and last A1C. All is well, and I am grateful for that!

Lucas is still wondering why he can't jump on top of my tummy and most of the time still says that he's going to have a "brudder" when you ask him. We'll keep working on it.

It's a GIRL!!!

It's true.

Lucas will be a big brother to a little sister in mid may!

I have neglected posting about this BIG news in our family for months now... not really sure why exactly. Oh yeah, I am extremely behind in blog-land.

I am 18 1/2 weeks along. Due June 5th. Because of my lovely diabetes, I will deliver early--in mid may!

We are so excited to have a little girl join our little family... and even more excited that everything looked normal and healthy in the ultrasound yesterday!

Since October Lucas has been convinced that he would have a little brother to play with! Well, to start introducing the idea of a little sister, not brother, he got some pink balloons yesterday! He was super excited about them... and even more excited to take some pictures with them outside.