12 month checkup

First of all, if you have kids. Be prepared if you make your appointment in August!  Schools start back and EVERY kid and their mama wait until the LAST MINUTE to do well checks and shots!  It was a mad house!  Luckily we had an appointment, but we still had to wait about 45 minutes.  Oh and how come the "well" waiting room is the size of a closet, but the "sick" waiting room is ginormous?!?!  That is just beyond me!

We were finally called back and Ava toddled/ran(yes she is practically running!!) on to the room.  The nurse did the usual questionaire and then we dropped her clothes and headed over to do her weight, height, and head circumference.

Height: 26.5in

Weight: Almost 18lbs

Head circumference:um can't remember, but it is normal.

Dr. Jay came in and Ava was roaming all over the place. She grinned at him, as to say, "look at me, I'm walking."  But liking Dr. Jay came to a screeching halt!  Once he started doing his examine, she was not having it!  Did not like it and made sure he knew it.  After that fun was over, we let her play while we had doctor/parent talk.  He is ecstatic with her development and everything is functioning perfectly. BUT her percentiles have dropped from 25th to 3rd.  He isn't so much concerned yet, but wants us to come back in 6 weeks to do a weight check to see if she is putting on weight.  She can practically have all foods now that she has hit the 12 month mark (WITHIN MAMA'S REASON!)  The only things he doesn't want her having yet are peanut/peanut butter and honey.  He wants us to add about 25% of whole milk to her bottles to up her caloric intake and boost her calories at meal times.  

To be honest, I struggled with this.  I have been blessed to be able to breastfeed for over 12 months and that was my initial goal.  Apparently, I have skim milk in these here parts of mine and need to add some calories in to my girl's belly.  My "selfish" concern is that this will start her weaning process.  I know it is the natural order of things, BUT breastmilk is the thing that I ALONE can give her.  Once that is over, so is that need from me and honestly that is hard for me to deal with.  I know in my head I should be so happy I have made it past my goal of 12 months, but I am selfish!  Yes, I said it.  Selfish.  Yes, breastmilk is the best thing for her (in my opinion), but for me I am needed where NO ONE else can fill that need.

OK rant over.  She had to get 3 shots and her little finger pricked on top of teething!  She had a rough day!!

We decided not to go to the gym, since the doctor visit was no fun for any of us.  I was bummed, but I got in a weights session at work, so at least I got my heart rate up some.

Locomotions 3x20 2-15#DBs

Lying Chest Press 3x10 2-15#DBs

Lying Overhead pullovers 3x10 1-15#DB

Isolated Bicep curls 3x10 2-15#DBs

Leg lifts 3x10

Flutters 3x30sec

I am hoping to get in a good run this afternoon, but we shall see.  Becoming a mama has taught me to NEVER make concrete plans!!

Have a great day!

Ava's 1st Birthday, stings, and updates

Ava turned 1!!!!

My dad, my brother and his fiance manned the grill. Hamburgers and hotdogs!

 Ava is thirsty!

CHERRIOS!!!!

"I don't know what that is, but it looks fun!"

 Family picture!

"I want to get out and walk around."

"I'll be able to wear these onesies when I am 2!"

Roll Tide, y'all!!!

My attempt at Ava's cake.  It was a from scratch banana cake.

My amateur attempt at everyone else's cake.

Ava wasn't too keen on diving in to the cake.  This is about as messy as she got!

We dodged some scary storms.  The party was a huge success.  About 40 people showed up and everyone left happy.  

Sidenote:  Ava got her first bee sting on her thumb!  She cried maybe 2 minutes.  What a champ. We wrapped a bandaid full of tobacco around it to take the sting out.  For those of you who don't know, tobacco works!  It draws out the sting.  Her thumb was swollen for about an hour but that was it.

An hour and a half later, I got stung under the eye.  I cried more than Ava!  There was minimal swelling which   I was excited about, UNTIL Sunday morning.  It was really swollen then and got progressive worse!  It was 90% swollen shut!!!!!

Clint said I looked like this on the right side of my face!  If it wasn't true, it would have hurt my feelings, but he was speakin the truth!

movie, Mask, source

We decided if it wasn't better on Monday, I was going to the doctor.  Well, it didn't get better, but moved down my face!  Long story short, I had a sever allergic reaction and had to get a steroid shot in my hip! The doc wrote me a prescription for an epi-pen.  Apparently, when you have a reaction like this, the next time I get stung it will be just as bad if not worse!  GREAT!!!

Workouts:

I took the weekend off from running.

Monday at the gym I got in 7miles in 1:01:50!!!

Yesterday morning I knocked out 5.25 miles in 44:55!!  

We will hit the gym today and I run for as long of time as I have.  

Ava:

She is practically RUNNING now.  Too funny! 

Her favorite word is duckaduckaducka!

She has her 12 month checkup today, eeek!  Shots!!

Have a great day!

Seriously?!

I.HAVE.STREP.THROAT!!

SERIOUSLY?!

Let's back up.  Sunday late afternoon my throat was a little scratchy.  I felt a headache creepin in on me.  By Sunday night, I couldn't swallow, my head was pounding, like an imaginary man using a jackhammer on it.  The back of my neck started hurting. I completely freaked with the neck symptom and Googled the heckers beckers out of Meningitis, sore throats, migraines, well every symptom I had.  After putting Ava down for the count, I tapped out too and went to bed.  I woke up when my alarm went off at 4am.  I turned it off!  Yep, there was no way I was going to be able to function at work.  I got up at 5am because my extremely (for me) endowed boobs needed pumping.  Clint kept insisting I go to the doc.  I.AM.STUBBORN!  I don't like to take meds because "this too shall pass."  After some bickering back and forth, (at 5:15am, haha) I told Clint he got mean when I get sick.  He looked at me and said, (I'm paraphrasing here) "I want you to get better.  You have been getting headaches and these symptoms hit you fast.  I've kind of gotten used to you being around and want to keep it that way." This got a hearty smile and a chuckle from me.  Boy, how I love this man.  So, I surrendered.  Sinve I don't go to the doc, except my OB/GYN, I had to find out a doc in our insurance plan and see if they accepted new patients.  Of course, its only 6am by now and doc's don't open until 8am.  At 8am on the nose I called.  I scored an appt for 2pm! Ugh!  But at least I can get in.  I started to feel a little better,  I cleaned house, folded laundry and spent time with Ava.  I took her to my parent's house around lunch so I could come back home to shower and get to my appt.

I did all of the new patient paperwork and insurance stuff and they called me back.  This adorably pregnant nurse took my vitals.  

Blood pressure=on low side of normal.

Temp.=98.6

Weight=back down from the few I gained in the last couple weeks of training eating tooooo much Peanut Butter.  

The doc came in and did the checkup.  The nurse did a throat swab, YUCK!

Diagnosis=very positive for Strep throat!!!

So, I started a Z-pak and they gave me gross-a@@-nasty throat soother.  I should be back to normal in a day or so.

Yesterday, was supposed to be my 1st day of 10k training and I was going to use my new Mama's day gift!
That didn't happen, nor will it today, although today is a REST day!! Score.

Have you just randomly gotten sick before??
This was out of left field!!!

h
have a great day. 

9 month check up

Hey y'all. Ava here!  I wanted to tell you about my 9 month check up yesterday.

Mama dropped me off at Gram and Pappy's house like usual.  We played, I ate, I napped, I pooped. You know, a normal day.  Well, that afternoon Gram started getting me ready.  Mama packs cute outfits when we go on "field trips".  We drove what seemed like FOR.EVER.  The big thing that gets us places stopped and Gram got me out of my seat thingy to change that thing that I pee and poop in.  She sat me up and there was MY MAMA! AND DADDY!  Yay!!!  "Are you guys coming on the field trip too?"  Mama grabbed me and gave me tons of kisses and "hi's" and then daddy loved on me.  We told Gram bye and headed to....on no!  Not the place that sticks me in the legs!!!!  Aww man!  Again?!  

I got really quiet and I think the word is nervous.  We waited for.ever.  (mama said it wasn't long really)  The nurse (the mean one that sticks me) called my name and we headed back to the room.  The stick lady asked mama a ton of questions while daddy got me undressed.  We then walked to that thing that tells me my weight and where mama holds my head still and the stick lady pulls my legs out straight.

Weight:16.3lbs(I'm little but Dr. Jay isn't worried at all!)

Height:26 in

We went back to the room and waited on Dr. Jay.  I played with Alvin.

and accidentally pulled off the tag.  I looked at Daddy to see if he could fix it but he could't.  

Dr. Jay finally got there and I sat in mama's lap while they talked about me and asked all kinds of questions.

I can really eat all veggies and meats now just mashed up. (still some things I have to stay away from i.e strawberries, honey, nuts, wheat, whole milk, cheese and eggs) Mama and daddy use that loud noisy thing to make my food. (Baby Bullet)

Dr. Jay put this thing on my chest and I didn't like it.  I kept pushing his hand away but he kept putting it back!

Then he put this bright light in my eyes and stuck this thing in my ears. Ugh!

I finally got to show him my stuff on the table.  He checked my hips and grip and then he let me sit up.  I did a little dance/sway for him and he said I was PERFECTLY HEALTHY!

And guess what?!  I didn't get any of those STICKS IN MY LEGS!!!  

Maybe this place isn't so bad.  I think I heard mama make another appt for around my 1st Birthday!

After that place, mama and me said bye-bye to daddy(he was going home to do some yardwork) and we went to the gym.  Miss Savannah is always glad to see me and we even got to watch mama on the funny thing that makes her legs go in circles.  (She says it is the Elliptical and she was on it for 45 min!) I have no concept of what 45 minutes is!

We then headed home.  The rest of the night was full of playing, crawling, eating, BATH TIME, and special time with mama!  

It was a good day!!

Mama says, "Have a great day!"

6months and a "1/2"

Ava had her 6 month checkup on Wednesday. She is super healthy.  Thank God!  If you will please keep Melissa and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  Her daughter M, who is a few days younger than Ava, was admitted to the hospital 2 nights ago with pneumonia!  I can only imagine the worry and fear associated with going through this!

Ava's stats:
Weight- 15lbs 4oz of love(25-50%)


Length-24.5in (5-10%)  
The doctor said she is low here, BUT until we see a consistent decrease or her not growing much we shouldn't worry.  Babies' growth spurts vary.


Ears-No problems


Motor skills- Perfectly normal behavior


Questions we asked?
How many ounces a day should she be having? 20-25oz
How many times should we feed cereal/baby food to her?Once a day right now is fine. We can do 2 times a day closer to 7months or when we feel its needed.
Does cereal/food take place of a bottle? No, it is a supplement.  Her main source of food is still breastmilk
Bedtime routine?Yes, start creating a soft, dark ambiance about 30 min before bedtime.  We have been doing this the past week and it is working great.
TMI-Poop?  Thickness? Not pooping?  She shouldn't go more than 4-5days.  (Enter PRUNES) Every other day is normal.  It will start to get thicker.


In a nutshell, we are doing everything "right".  There is no real "right" way, but we are doing what is best for Ava and us and she is continually healthy and happy. 
 Healthy Ava=Happy Parents

4 month check up and spin me

Well good morning lovies!  It is a cold one here in Nashville this morning.  27degrees of brisk December weather.  Definitely makes Xmas feel like its on its way. 

Ava had her 4 month check up yesterday. 
Weight: 13lbs 3 oz
Height: 1st measurement was 22.25in.

Dr. Jay came in and asked if we had questions for him.  Um of course I do. 
Questions and answers:
Do we need to clean her ears? No!  The only thing we should do is if we see wax on the edge of her ear to get it with a cloth.  Otherwise, no cleaning inside.
Her pooping is every day OR every other day.  Is that normal? Yes,  she is at the stage that they become less and less.  If they start to become hard and pebbly then that might be cause for concern.
Her poop is less seedy that it was. Is that normal?(breastfed babies tend to have liquidy poop with grainy poopyseed thingies in it.) Yes, that is normal as well.
Her poop is changing smells(like whew Ava, something crawled up your rear and died).  Is this my fault?  Is this normal? It is not my fault since I RARELY change my eating habits.  Her bowels are getting stronger and her poops are less so it will not smell like perfume. (We thought so, but my mom swears every time she poops it is MY FAULT. )
Should we start feeding her cereal?  How much?  When? We can start any where from 4-6 months.  It is up to us.  He recommended rice cereal that is iron fortified.  1 tablespoon once a day for a couple of weeks to see how she takes it.  It will take an adjustment for her since it is a different texture.  We are to add breastmilk to it.  We can steadily add veggies(yes!) but no more that 1 new food every 5 days.  Just in case she has a reaction to a certain food. 
Clint asked if my flu shot gives Ava the antibodies to fight of the flu? (great question!)  Dr. Jay really didn't know, BUT breastfeeding is amazing.  For instance, if Ava is sick and she breastfeeds, my body AUTOMATICALLY starts making antibodies to fight off her germs so that the NEXT feeding the milk is full of antibodies to fight whatever she has.  I think that is AMAZING!

Dr. Jay recommended we give her a vitamin D supplement.  Polyvisol is what he recommended we give her. I am going to research this today and learn more about it.  He did say that breastmilk doesn't transfer a lot of Vitamin D to Ava.  I am going to google that for sure today.

After our questions were answered he evaluated Ava.  She is such a ham.  Reaching for his moving fingers, sitting up when he tested her strength, smiling when prompted.  She is healthy as a horse.  He then told us that her weight was normal but her she had shrank some!  Huh WHAT??  He said, we are going to take her measurements again, and if it is the same we might want to watch that.  um Ok.  After he was finished with us, we went and got her length again.  The nurse was off by an INCH!!!  She was 23.25 in.  Perfectly normal growth. SHEESH LADY!  Way to give mama heart palpitations. 

Now it was shot time.  I got the flu shot while I was there.  (boy, is my arm SORE this morning.)  She had to have an oral cocktail, 2 shots in her right leg and 1 in her left.  Poor baby.  She CRIED this time.  I felt so bad.  But after we picked her up she calmed down. 

Our next appt is in 2 months at her 6 month birthday.  She wasn't nor hasn't been fussy since her shots.  She slept like a rock. Oh and now that she is rolling over from her back, it takes all of 5.2 minutes for her to roll to her belly to sleep in her crib.  She is her mama's daughter.  I am a belly sleeper.  It was torture while I was pregnant, let me tell ya.

Last night was spin class.  Woop woop.  I was a gloriously sweaty mess.  I have made friends with the instructor and another girl in class.  We "bonded" last week since we were the only 3 in class.  I like them because they push me in class.  I can't let either of them out do me.  Heck no. 

Tonight will be cardio and weights at the gym.  Not sure what I am going to do, but stop by tomorrow and see how I made my hour of working out worthwhile.

Randomness... Do you love to read?  What book are you reading these days.  What genres do you love??
I love love love to read.  I am a bookworm all the way. 

6 week PP checkup

Hey  y'all.  I went to my checkup yesterday.  I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was so used to going when I was pregnant that I knew the routine by heart.  This checkup involved taking my weight, blood pressure and a pelvic exam.  It wasn't the MOST comfortable thing, being that Dr. B "got up in there" to check my uterus.  It was like a pelvic exam that they do to check your cervix while pregnant.  Everything is A OK.  We are "official" for take off.  OOPS =)

I asked her about birth control and here are the deets.
birth control shot-The shot is good for 3 months.  So every 3 months you need to get it.  It sounds great BUT it can take 6-18 months to get your period back.  Not ideal if you want to wait a year to try again to get pregnant, like we do.
IUD-This would be inserted and would prevent pregnancy fine hormone free, BUT since we want to try in a year to get pregnant Dr. B said its not worth the expense.  If we were going to wait a couple of years, it would make sense to get the IUD.
THE PILL: For breastfeeding mamas, like me, I was concerned about this.  She told me of the progesterone only pill, that would prevent pregnancy plus not interfere with my breastmilk or Ava.

So what did I choose?
THE PILL.  Although, I was against it, it makes more sense for us and our "plan" (haha, we all know when we make plans, God laughs at us)  I did set an alarm on my phone for a daily reminder. "Pregnancy brain" doesn't stop apparently!

About the scale....dun dun dunnnnn. I weigh 131.  I am 11lbs over my 6week pregnancy weight.  I would like to get to 115-118 again to fit into my smaller clothes.  I am comfortable there.  I don't want to get to my smallest weight of 101lbs. That was ridiculous.  I got so caught up, I didn't see the forest for the trees.

My workout today:
Cardio:
25 min on  the "dread-mill".  Walk 2 min, jog 2 min, sprint 1 min.  I did this 3 times.  The last 2, I jogged 4 and sprinted 1 min.
Weights:(remember I am starting back, so do assume I will lift heavy.  I lifted to fatigue today.)
Leg Extensions 3x14 40lbs
Combo-DB bicep curls/shoulder press 3x20 8lbs
Lying prone Hamstring Curls-3x14 30lbs
Standing DB Rows 3x12 8lbs

I have soooo missed the endorphins from working out.  I wish I could bottle that feeling of euphoria.  I felt great yesterday and today in my workouts.  I was determined and pushed myself and felt worthwhile.  I am starting to feel good about how I look now.  I have a way to go until my goal, but for now, for today I am happy with myself and how I look.  (So is Clint! wink wink!)  I took for granted the feeling of being able to do things like run and push myself that last minute, bend down and grab a dumbbell, do an ab workout.  I wouldn't trade my pregnancy FOR THE WORLD, but I love being able to workout without restraint.  I don't work out just for a rocking bod, but it clears my head, pushes me past what I think I might be able to do and makes me realize I can do it if I am determined. 

Bring on the sweat!!!

I'm still alive

Hey!  Wow it has been over 2 weeks since I blogged last.  Every time I sit down to write, a boob needs to be used, I need to change laundry over, work beckons, or I just plain forget. 

The last time I wrote, I had started back to work.  Work is busy, which is great and makes the day go by faster.  My new job is so much more in every way that managing the gym.  I feel worthwhile again and not taken advantage of.  My mind is stimulated and its something I can move forward in. 

I have cried every time I have taken sweet Ava to my mom's house each morning, except I didn't last Thursday, but then I cried because I DIDN'T cry.  It is a vicsious cycle ladies.  I felt like I should be crying when I left her.  Clint made me realize it sucks for him too and we are working for our family.  (he is so logical, damn him!=))

It still sucks each morning, but it is tolerable. I know that she is getting my mom's undivided attention, love, and care.  Plus, my dad and brother get to love on her too after they get home.  She is surrounded by family and I don't worry about her, I just miss that face so much.  Clint picks her up each day after he gets off of work and about every other day sends me pictures of her to get me through the last couple of hours.  (such a great husband)

It seems like so much has been going on.  Ava has been to 5 states already.  She is a traveling machine!  (sidenote...don't be afraid to take your baby out and about.  Yes, they are small and fragile, but you need a life too.  Be careful not to overstimulate them and they will be fine on the go. Just my two cents.)

Labor day weekend we went down to one of my best friend and her husband's house in Wetumpka, Alabama to visit.  It was so relaxing.  It was the most we have spent together since we were in high school.  She is a Marine and has been stationed in a few different states.  This is the closest she has been in forever.  The time together was much needed.  She just had a miscarriage.  Her family came over to our house a couple of weeks after Ava was born to visit and bring us supper.  Her miscarriage had happened the week before and she didn't hold Ava, nor did I push the subject.  I knew it would be hard on her.  The weekend we were down there, they told us to go out on the SEADOO and they would all watch Ava.  My best friend held her and after that, it was over!!  She wanted to hold her all of the time.  I think Ava helped her heal a little and get excited about trying again when the doctor allows them.

Let's see what else...  I go to my 6 week post-partum check up tomorrow.  Woot woot.  Although, I need to be cleared to get off of "pelvic rest" for healing, we did cheat last weekend!  We couldn't help it.  haha My friends had Ava occupied and "it kind of happened."  For those that are curious, continue reading.  For those not, continue past the bold print below.  It wasn't so much painful, but I did feel like a virgin again.  But it has got easier =)!!  I hope I don't get in trouble tomorrow. 
I am going to talk to my doc about a form of birth control.  I don't want to go on the pill again.  It messed up my hormones and with my record now of forgetting things, I would forget to take it each day.  We don't want to use condoms!  Not happening.  I am thinking that I want to do the Copper IUD which is non-hormonal. 

Any one have the IUD?  Pros/Cons?  What about the shot?  Pros/Cons? 

Because my new job allows it, I get to get home at a reasonable hour and Clint and I can cook together and have family time.  (one of the reasons why I got out of the gym job)  I have been recipe searching and starting to meal plan each week. 
This week's plan:(all of our meals are as healthy as possible)
Tonight: french toast and turkey bacon
Tuesday:some sort of pasta, probably with a tomato sauce
Wednesday: turkey chili with turkey dogs
Thursday:Creamy taco mac
Friday:TBD

I started working out again last Tuesday.  YAYA!  It feels so good to sweat.  Although, I am told I am better shape at 6 weeks than some women post partum, I am not where I want to be.  I am my own worse enemy and want to be the best I can be and look.  In reality and as a Personal Trainer, I know that getting back into shape is a process and takes work and dedication.  I am willing to do the work and be dedicated, but for some crazy reason, I think that I should be back into shape NOW, because I am a personal trainer.  I feel like I shouldn't be out of shape and that I have failed at being an example to be in shape.  THIS IS ALL BALONEY.  I know I just had a baby and things take time to get back to where they should go, but the devil on my shoulder continues to speak crazy talk to me.

Ok, enough for today.  I will update about the doc visit tomorrow.  Hopefully, I will be "officially" cleared.

Ok, ladies.  I think that is a good update for the past couple of weeks. 

"All by myself......"

Well, it is Monday and Clint went back to work today after having 2 full weeks off of work.  It has been equally hard on both of us.  It's hard for Clint because he is at work and not at home with us.  Especially Ava.  He is a wonderful daddy and is so funny when he interacts with her.  He has been teaching Ava her name, who we are and what our dogs names are.  You can never start too soon.  haha. 

Since I have been breastfeeding, I have been doing the feeding of course, and Clint has been handling the diaper changing, burping, and majority of clothes changing.  (he does a really good job, even with accessorizing!) We are a well fine tuned machine. 

Today, with him not being here and her 2 week doc checkup, doing it by myself is a little more strenuous.  She has her schedule and is pretty consistent with it.(like her mama)  She typically has a feeding about 8am and we had an appt at 9. Ok, I thought maybe I can get her to hold off until after the appt. since she ate about 6am....um no.  About 7:50am she started sucking her hands, big sign of "mama, I am hungry."  I learned that you can do so much with one arm, a baby on your boob, and still get ready to go.  (brush your teeth, get the diaper bag together, find clothes to wear)  Apparently, the mama instinct does kick in and multi-tasking is a super hero characteristic. 

Everything went smoothly today though and we got through it.  He couldn't wait to get his hands on those beautiful cheeks.  I got a kiss first though!

Her appt details:
Weight at birth: 7lbs 11oz
Length at birth: 19 3/4in

Weight at 2 weeks 2 days old: 8lbs 2oz
Length at 2 weeks 2 days old: 20in

She is healthy and growing great.  We go back when she is 2 months and that is when she gets her 1st round of major shots.  I made sure to schedule it in the afternoon so Clint can come with me.  I don't know who will cry more, me or Ava.

How could you not love this sweet face?!?!

**Next post will be about me and postpartum weight and body stuff!

35 week doc visit

Hello everyone.  I hope your Hump day has been great so far.  It is 98 degrees here in Nashville.  L.O.V.E.L.Y on the sweeling ankles or slowly turning into cankles!!

We had our 35 week checkup today.
Deets:
Pee in a cup-perfectly good pee
Weight-perfect gain these past 2 weeks of 2lbs. (the last 6 weeks I have been under the weight gain.)  Total so far is 28lbs. 
Blood pressure-Great at 110/70
Ava's heartbeat- a wonderful sounding 143bpm
Fungal height-right on the dot at 35
Ava's position-Head is still down.  Although, I was concerned because the last few days her movements have felt different.  Her head is still in the head down, but her body has shifted for her growth and continuation.  Whew!!!(wiping brow)

We start weekly visits next week and she will do a pelvic exam and the Strep B test.  (This is basically a swab of the girl area for a common bacteria.  If you test positive, no worries, you just have to have a round of antibiotic when you are in delivery so not to harm the baby,)

Our doc was so excited and said that now Ava would do great if she was born from here on out. She said to start packing our bags just in case.  Next week we will find out how the girl part is actually doing and if I am dialated at all.  My body frame is just so small, I gather my doc doesn't think I will make it the 35 days (OMG 35 days!!) until her due date.  Honestly, we are in the place that she could come whenever she wants!!  My body is just getting uncomfortable!!!

Happy ICLW and have a great rest of the day!

31 weeker and doc update

How far along? 31 weeks


How big is baby? Average size: about 4 oranges.  So over 3lbs.


                                        Average Length: about 16 in head to heel.  Sheesh!

What is baby doing this week? Babyzone.com says "Your unborn baby's lungs continue to mature. As her lungs become more developed, the chances of her surviving if born prematurely increase. Her skin, which has been wrinkled, now becomes pink and smooth as fat cells fill out her body.
Baby knows your voice. Singing to her, talking to her, and telling her all about the world she'll be joining soon is a great way for you and your partner to bond with Baby—and each other!

Your baby's fingernails have grown and she may even need a manicure after she's born. "

What about mama? We had our 31 week doc appt yesterday. 
Weight: up .75lb.  It has slowed down for sure.  That is 1.5lb gain in 4 weeks.
Blood Pressure: perfect at 116/76
Ava's heartbeat: has slowed to 130 (it has been ~140)  According to Clint, that is supposed to happen.
Pee in a cup: No news is good news.  Although, it is getting harder to catch the pee in the cup because my belly is in the way.  I giggle every time.
Fungal Height: right on 31 weeks
Ava's position:  head down position already.


Symptoms: I had my 1st "uncomfortable" day yesterday.  My ankles are starting to ache and I think she is using my bladder as a trampoline.

Maternity clothes: No doubt about that!!!

Sleep: Sleeping, but dreaming a lot!!!  And weird dreams to boot.

Best moment last week? Our 1st shower.

Movement: Crazy how much she moves.  She is getting on a usual pattern.

Cravings: Um.  Sadly, nothing!

Belly Button in or out: It makes me wonder how deep that thing is!

What I miss? Clint started singing "I want my body back, body back, body back.  Mama's so uncomfortable!"  (I don't know if y'all remember but this is to the tune Of the CHILI's Baby Back Ribs commercial jingle.  He has no idea how right he is in that diddy.

What I am looking forward to: getting our boat out on the lake this weekend!  I love the lake and sun.  Give me a book and I can lay there all day long.  Although, I think this summer I will be floating in the water more.
Milestones: Single digit weeks left.

How is daddy? He loves "stalking" the registry and getting presents for Ava.  He is too cute!!

2 weekers (already?)

Hey ladies!  It has been an eventful few days and am just now catching my breath.  We had a doc appt today and it was our 1st 2-week appts.  I can't believe we are now going every 2 weeks.  We met another doctor in the practice to get aquainted.  She is about our age and was so cheerful and lively.  I definately like her better than the other doctor we met in the practice. 

Pee test ( I think I now can pee on command)-DONE and everything is fine and dandy.

Weight-I have gained a pound in 2 weeks and they are thrilled with that.

Fungal Height-29 weeks. Right on sched.

Blood Pressure- Excellent at 108/84 (I have always had low blood pressure.)

Heartbeat of baby girl- It fluctuated between 145-150bmp while she had the dopplar on my belly.

We go back in 2 weeks to see our regular doctor.  Stop in tomorrow for the 29 week update!!!!

Doctor check-in

27 week check-up.
Urine test-CHECK

Blood Pressure-CHECK and GREAT

Weight-CHECK.  GAINED 4lbs.  That is typical and as my doc was looking at my chart she said, "I think you might have been a little underweight pre-pregnancy, so I'm not really worried about your weight!"

Ava's heartbeat-CHECK. 152BPM

Fungal Height-CHECK. Measuring 28 weeks.  No cause for concern.

Gestational Diabetes test-CHECK.  I had the FRUIT PUNCH and it was actually REALLY GOOD.  I went down to the lab to get my bloodwork done 1 hour after I finished the drink.  I felt kind of jittery and not "right" because of the sugar.
(results) should be in tomorrow.  No news is good news though.  So fingers crossed that my blood sugar is less than 140 and I'm not enemic.

Next appt-We start 2 weekers now.  In 2 weeks I meet another doc from the practice to become more familiar with them all.  WHO KNOWS WHO WILL ACTUALLY DELIVER BABY AVA?!!?!?!


***Please keep Clint's family in your thoughts and prayers please!!  His Nana isn't expecting to last much longer.  I will keep up updated on the situation.

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

Hey ya ladies!  It is a gorgeous day in Nashville!!  I think the high got to 82 degress!  Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons!! I love the warmer weather. 

I forgot to tell y'all about the other night!  We decided Clint was going to read her her 1st book, but we didn't have any that tickled our fancy at home, so we decided on her listening to music.  My husband thinks that Classical is a waste and will put her to sleep.  He put on Black Eyed Peas and she went nuts.  She was making my belly jump and jive through all of their songs.  It was amazing! 

We can also tell now where she is and can feel her.  She has this one spot in my lower right side of my belly that is her nook appparently because she is almost always there!  Clint was feeling for her and all of a sudden jerked his hand back.  Well, I started laughing and asked him what was wrong.  Either her foot or hand grazed by his hand and creeped him out (in a good way!)  I just laughed.

Moving along.  Today was my 23 week apt.  My doc was there! Yay!  Well, she was late because her hospital rounds took her longer.  Anywho, her normal nurse, Judy, wasn't there and the new nurse had me pee in a cup and get my weight.  I closed my eyes because I DID NOT WANT TO KNOW!  If that heifer didn't say it out loud when she was writing it in my chart.  AHH  I guess I should let EVERYONE KNOW!!  I am up 5lbs. (normal gain at this time.) Total of 18. 

Our Dr. finally made it at got Baby Ava's heartbeat (141)and checked my fungal height (right on 23 week schedule) and told me about by blood sugar test that I will do next time.  When she was done I told her I wasn't happy about how Dr. Substitute treated my gain last checkup.  Dr. said, "well she had a reason to be concerned."  I then told her I have a history of eating disorder and ONE little thing could make me spiral back down that ugly path.  (Having an eating disorder is like being and alcoholic!!)  She wrote that in my chart for future doctors.  I think docs learn the same speech because she asked if I drank juice and if my "healthy" portions were bigger.  NO MA'AM. 
This is how the conversation went.
Dr: WHAT DO YOU EAT FOR BREAKFAST??
ME: I am a creature of habit so Breakfast:  1 egg, 2 egg whites, 2 pieces double fiber whole grain bread, 2 pieces of turkey bacon.
Dr: "What about lunch??"
ME: either a big salad or  a Morningstar chicken patty sandwich and piece of fruit or veggies.
Dr: "Well, it looks like you can't do any healthier huh?!!?
ME:(thinking:)  THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL Y'ALL!!!!!

Before she left, she said, "it could be you have gestational diabetes!"  "Does your family have a history?"
NO MA'AM.

Clint asked me later this afternoon what I thought about the appt.  (He was so concerned that I was defeated again.  Especially, after she said I could have GD.)   I told him I am good!  A LOT of women THINK they are eating healthy and in reality they aren't at all or are eating too much of the healthy food. (I track all of my food on Babyfit.com.) I told him that she is just following protocol.and until today didn't really KNOW my daily eating.  I am ok with the gain and I doubt I have GD.  I am still thinking my body is going to do what it wants and I AM STILL OK WITH THAT!!!