Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Mom Update - 13 weeks 5 days

Overall, I'm feeling much better! I'm not sick as often as I was, but I still have a hard time every now and then. I can really tell my body is changing a lot. I had a rough day on Sunday, August 24. When we woke up on Monday morning, Benjie and I both thought I had grown overnight. That amazed both of us, and others have promised us we're not crazy.

Several different areas of my body have been hurting recently. Fortunately my doctor came by our house yesterday, so I was able to talk to her about everything that has been going on. After a little pep talk and some well-needed reassurance, I am ready to continue with this amazing journey.

I called Nana (and Jack) yesterday and convinced them to go walking with me. Although my legs are sore today, I think the walk was just what I needed. Now if I can convince myself to continue those walks, we'll be good to go.

We still require lots of rest, but Mom and Baby Houston are doing just fine.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Glucose test - August 15, 2008

Results: I went Friday to take the glucose test. My precious doctor just called me with the results. She said, "You're not too sweet! Your numbers were perfect!!"

Whew! What a relief! I'm so glad to finally get some good news! I felt like I had taken a beating last Wednesday. That had gotten my spirits down, but of course I've tried my best to stay upbeat and positive.

The test: The test in itself was not as bad as I had imagined it would be. I got to the hospital in Tupelo a few minutes after 8. They immediately got me in to do paperwork, and off to the lab I went.

My doctor had given me some great tips on how to survive during the test. I was overly prepared - stocked with People magazines, one of Benjie's dirt track magazines, several pregnancy magazines, a crossword puzzle book, and all kinds of pregnancy pamphlets to read.

Fortunately, we (there were two other pregnant women in the lab with me) got to sit in recliners - and you can imagine how cold it was in there. Not only did they give us blankets, but they gave us really WARM blankets! You know I was excited over that!

The day COULD have been just fine had it not been for the shows that pregnant woman #1 insisted we watch on tv. And yes, one show even talked about how horrible gestational diabetes are. Word to the wise: Discovery Health is not a good channel to watch while pregnant.

They drew my blood the first time just minutes after I arrived. After waiting a while, they gave me five minutes to drink orange sugar in a bottle. Okay, it was really an orange drink, but it was really, really sweet. The first few sips were a breeze getting down, but after that, it got pretty tough. I had not eaten or drunk anything since before bedtime the night before.

They drew my blood three more times, each time being an hour later. The nurse and I had a little bump in the road after my second stick. Something wasn't correct on the bandage, and we'll just say that I'm lucky my shirt wasn't red after that.

I had absolutely no cell phone service in the lab, but I did convince the receptionist to let me use the phone to call my dear friend, Amber. She works at the hospital, and Benjie & I had designated her to check up on me. After all, not eating and having blood drawn four times will wear a pregnant woman out! I was unable to reach her, but I left her a voicemail. Right before my last stick, Amber walked in the lab! She didn't get my voicemail, but she came to the rescue anyway! I don't think I've ever been happier to see her! I was doing better than expected, but at the same time, I was just ready to get out of there. We had to wait a little while after the last drawing, but once I was free to go, we decided on lunch at Abner's. I talked to Benjie on the way to my truck, and of course that made me feel a lot better just finally being able to talk to him. However, the moment I sat down in my truck, the weakness hit.

We finally made it to Abner's, and I was sooooo happy to finally be able to eat. Poor Amber had to listen to me ramble on and on, as well as sit there with me while I ate every single thing on my plate. Even right after we ate, I was still weak, but there was no comparison to how I felt before. When I got home, I had to run several errands, but after I finished, I spent the rest of the afternoon napping.

Today: My arms still make me look like a drug addict, but the soreness is almost completely gone. I was sick just a little bit last night, but so far, everything is going well today!
I've already shared the good news with Benjie, and we're both so thankful for the great results. We give God all the glory!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Second Appointment - August 13, 2008

We went to our second appointment today. I had to take a glucose test to check for diabetes. After waiting an hour, they took my blood. The limit is 140; mine was 142. The doctor did not seem worried, but because I was over the limit, I will have to go the hospital sometime within the next week to have a more extensive glucose test done. I'm not looking forward to this, but it's just something I'll have to do.

I have lost 3 pounds since our last appointment. The doctor wasn't happy about that, but I guess we'll work on packing the pounds on soon. : )

We tried to hear the baby's heartbeat while in the patient room, but we were unsuccessful. Again, the doctor did not seem worried because there could be multiple reasons for this. Mom, on the other hand, was not quite as relaxed. I must admit I was pretty scared. I was so thankful that Benjie was there with me.

We got to have a sonogram done. My placenta is anterior, which is the reason we could not hear the heartbeat in the room. This is nothing to be alarmed about. Although it's not "normal," this condition is very common. We were actually excited to see the baby. It definitely looks more like a baby now. Baby Houston has two arms and two legs, a heart rate of 158 bpm, and was doing the worm just like Daddy! Baby Houston is very, very active!

Our next appointment will be in 5 weeks on September 17th.

Benjie and I typed this as we were having lunch in Tupelo. I edited it a little bit, and added a picture from each appointment. (Thanks Joe & Amber!) - A shortened video from the ultrasound was FINALLY added on September 7. Better late than never!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Mom Update - 10 weeks, 4 days

After enjoying over a week of sick-free days, I’m saddened to report that it’s back. The past two mornings have been pretty rough, but I’m thankful the evening sickness has not returned yet. I am suffering from really bad headaches, and obviously I can’t take medicine for them. I haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the headaches, but hopefully I’ll be able to very soon.

Benjie really helps to make things easier for me. I don’t think I could make it through this without his amazing support.

Overall, things are good. Just please keep praying for us!