In just a very short while, we will be heading out for our last big trip before BabyR arrives. After this year, camping in Copper Harbor will never be the same.
Yes... camping. At six months pregnant. And yes, camping for us means living in a tent. I can't begin to count the number of people who have told me I'll be hot and miserable. This will be my 4th annual trip up north and I can think of no better vacation. Keep in mind... Copper Harbor is WAY north. We've been following the weather forecast for up there the last couple weeks, and highs have been averaging in the low to mid 70s. Slight chance of rain most days, which is pretty common being on the lake. And essentially NO humidity compared to here. Most days we are there, I am in jeans and a T-shirt. By evening, I've added a sweatshirt (or two!). Yeah. Spending that time outdoors while pg, just isn't a concern for me.
But as I was saying... it really is the best vacation. For two whole weeks we live in fresh air and sunshine (and occassional rain) and with absolutely no schedule of any kind. Every morning we get up, shower, have breakfast and then decide what we're in the mood to do. The list of choices is plentiful... even if it is the same as last year. But... things change over time, and it is still great fun to visit all the usual places where we can recall old memories and make new ones. Even the campground is nostalgic since it's where Eric proposed to me 3 years ago. Not to mention, we're always joined by family and friends, which makes the trip even more fun and special.
After breakfast, most days begin with a walk to the beach. Not a sandy, warm beach like you probably just pictured when you read that. No. The beach is all rocks. Pepper will play in the water for a bit, and then while she lays in the sun to dry, we'll sit near the water's edge and hunt for agates. Once we tire of that, we'll head back to camp and then off to whatever destination we've chosen for the day.
Sadly, I suspect a few of our usual hikes won't make the list this year. I may be up to a couple weeks of camping, but I'm not so sure I could handle the hike at the Estivant Pines. The hike out to Hunter's Point isn't quite as bad... though still a bit long. And the boat ride to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse would only be possible on a calm day. But... even without those events, there will still be plenty to choose from.
Naturally, a visit or two to the Jampot will be in order. And I'm sure we'll head into town on several days for shopping. Once or twice we'll visit Calumet which wouldn't be complete without lunch at the Evergreen. And no camping trip to the UP would be complete without a few pasties. Add in there lots of time spent just hanging around the campsite relaxing, or reading, or playing games... and it will certainly be, yet another wonderful trip.
Talk to you all in a couple weeks when we return.
Friday, July 21, 2006
24w 4d
The last of the ultrasounds. Yay! Things still haven't changed with my cervix so my doctor sees no reason why we need to continue to monitor it so closely. She said if it was going to open up early, it would have already started to do SOMETHING. But, nope. It's still a nice, long 5cm. I do believe she even gave a little cheer for a body doing what it's supposed to. LOL!
BabyR's heartrate sounded good. And my uterus measures right where it should. Good blood pressure. Good urine test. All set for our camping trip. Next doctor visit not for 4 weeks... where I'll get my diabetes screen done. Already NOT looking forward to having to drink that icky stuff.
Was annoyed by the ultrasound tech again today, though. My mom went to the appointment with me, hoping to get to see the baby. I asked the tech about it when we first went into the room, pointing out this was my last u/s. She said she had planned on just doing the internal for the cervix check because at this stage if the baby is head down, it can be hard to measure the cervix through the tummy. So, I went ahead and got ready. She measured my cervix, said okay, and turned on the light. I was stunned and asked if she was really not going to let us have a quick peek at him. No. She was "really backed up" so didn't have time. GRRR!!! I was sooo upset! I know for a FACT they schedule my scans for 15 minutes, and the thought that she was cutting my time short so she could get caught up really, REALLY irked me. Especially since my mom had taken the time off work to go with me to see BabyR. NOT at all a happy time.
But... we made up for it by going to lunch and then taking a quick trip to Babies R' Us. Mom bought me the baby book for BabyR so I can start filling in some of the pregnancy stuff. Not much else I can put in it now, since he isn't here yet... and since we aren't sharing the name. But, it did make me feel better and I'm excited about having it. And... even though the tech made me mad... I really can't complain since all is going so well with this pregnancy.
BabyR's heartrate sounded good. And my uterus measures right where it should. Good blood pressure. Good urine test. All set for our camping trip. Next doctor visit not for 4 weeks... where I'll get my diabetes screen done. Already NOT looking forward to having to drink that icky stuff.
Was annoyed by the ultrasound tech again today, though. My mom went to the appointment with me, hoping to get to see the baby. I asked the tech about it when we first went into the room, pointing out this was my last u/s. She said she had planned on just doing the internal for the cervix check because at this stage if the baby is head down, it can be hard to measure the cervix through the tummy. So, I went ahead and got ready. She measured my cervix, said okay, and turned on the light. I was stunned and asked if she was really not going to let us have a quick peek at him. No. She was "really backed up" so didn't have time. GRRR!!! I was sooo upset! I know for a FACT they schedule my scans for 15 minutes, and the thought that she was cutting my time short so she could get caught up really, REALLY irked me. Especially since my mom had taken the time off work to go with me to see BabyR. NOT at all a happy time.
But... we made up for it by going to lunch and then taking a quick trip to Babies R' Us. Mom bought me the baby book for BabyR so I can start filling in some of the pregnancy stuff. Not much else I can put in it now, since he isn't here yet... and since we aren't sharing the name. But, it did make me feel better and I'm excited about having it. And... even though the tech made me mad... I really can't complain since all is going so well with this pregnancy.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Ticker
As you've seen, I have that cute little ticker at the top of my blog that says how pg I am and how much further we have to go. Each week, it spouts out a new fact about Baby's development. It's been neat to see things like "My legs are becoming more proportional to my body" and "I've started hiccuping." Until this week.
This week... 23 weeks pregnant... it states "I'm viable outside the womb!" And every time I read that I CRINGE. No. Way. I realize there are some micropreemies born at 23 weeks gestation. And some of them do survive. But the survival rate at that age is something like 1%. Those that do survive spend months in the NICU, surviving only because of machines, and most go on to have developmental problems throughout life. HOW can they possibly say that 23 weeks is viable? Just the thought of it scares the crap out of me.
Thankfully... our little guy isn't going anywhere. Not anytime soon, at least. And... just as thankful... I'm half-way through week 23, so only a few more days of seeing that icky stat.
This week... 23 weeks pregnant... it states "I'm viable outside the womb!" And every time I read that I CRINGE. No. Way. I realize there are some micropreemies born at 23 weeks gestation. And some of them do survive. But the survival rate at that age is something like 1%. Those that do survive spend months in the NICU, surviving only because of machines, and most go on to have developmental problems throughout life. HOW can they possibly say that 23 weeks is viable? Just the thought of it scares the crap out of me.
Thankfully... our little guy isn't going anywhere. Not anytime soon, at least. And... just as thankful... I'm half-way through week 23, so only a few more days of seeing that icky stat.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Bad Blogger
Wow. Suppose I could have posted after last Friday's dr's appt. Bad blogger. Bad. Here's the belated scoop:
All went well. Another ultrasound to measure the cervix. Once again, there has been no change in the length. From what I've read and been told by the doctor, average length is between 3 and 4 cm. They only worry about preterm labor chances being increased if it falls to 2.5 cm or below. Mine is still at a lengthy 5.2 cm. Which means it is still long and closed and not even thinking about letting BabyR out anytime soon. YAY! I have another scan in two more weeks and then should be done with the ultrasounds and will hopefully just be on the routine "2-week" plan when we return from vacation... when my first appointment upon our return will likely include that wonderful glucose test. I'm already dreading that one!
I was disappointed that the tech didn't look at Baby at all. Just a quick cervix measurement and that was it. When I called the hubby after the appointment to tell him how everything went, I stated I was bummed because getting to see the baby every two weeks was the whole point of all of this. No, he replied. The whole point is to make sure everything is going okay and he stays in there until he's healthy enough to come out. Okay. Okay. So he made a good point. But it was still a bummer to not get to peek at my little guy. Other than the shot of his butt sitting on my cervix while she was taking the measurements.
His heartbeat sounds good. And my uterus measured right on track for how far along I am. (First time they've measured it!) Everything is going just as it should be. Although...... I was more than shocked by the scale. It seems I have gained 6 POUNDS in the last 2 weeks! Granted, in the last few days my appetite has started to increase some. But I certainly haven't eaten THAT much extra to have put on THAT much weight so quickly. And we've been going for a walk every evening after dinner now that the weather has gotten nicer. So... how is it possible to be eating pretty much the same, doing the same (or more) activity, and gain 6 lbs in 2 weeks?!?
I asked the doctor. She said it's perfectly normal. Some women go along at little to no weight gain, than jump up several pounds, then plateau there for a bit, then jump up again, etc. My total weight gain for the entire pregnancy is only 9 pounds, which is perfectly healthy. As long as it doesn't continue to jump like that, they won't be concerned. If it does, then they'll want to look into reasons why (gestational diabetes, edema, etc.). But... I show no signs of anything other than a healthy pregnancy, so not to worry about it at this point. Even so.... it is still sitting as a shock. But, all is good. Mommy and Baby are both doing well and are healthy... which is the important thing.
All went well. Another ultrasound to measure the cervix. Once again, there has been no change in the length. From what I've read and been told by the doctor, average length is between 3 and 4 cm. They only worry about preterm labor chances being increased if it falls to 2.5 cm or below. Mine is still at a lengthy 5.2 cm. Which means it is still long and closed and not even thinking about letting BabyR out anytime soon. YAY! I have another scan in two more weeks and then should be done with the ultrasounds and will hopefully just be on the routine "2-week" plan when we return from vacation... when my first appointment upon our return will likely include that wonderful glucose test. I'm already dreading that one!
I was disappointed that the tech didn't look at Baby at all. Just a quick cervix measurement and that was it. When I called the hubby after the appointment to tell him how everything went, I stated I was bummed because getting to see the baby every two weeks was the whole point of all of this. No, he replied. The whole point is to make sure everything is going okay and he stays in there until he's healthy enough to come out. Okay. Okay. So he made a good point. But it was still a bummer to not get to peek at my little guy. Other than the shot of his butt sitting on my cervix while she was taking the measurements.
His heartbeat sounds good. And my uterus measured right on track for how far along I am. (First time they've measured it!) Everything is going just as it should be. Although...... I was more than shocked by the scale. It seems I have gained 6 POUNDS in the last 2 weeks! Granted, in the last few days my appetite has started to increase some. But I certainly haven't eaten THAT much extra to have put on THAT much weight so quickly. And we've been going for a walk every evening after dinner now that the weather has gotten nicer. So... how is it possible to be eating pretty much the same, doing the same (or more) activity, and gain 6 lbs in 2 weeks?!?
I asked the doctor. She said it's perfectly normal. Some women go along at little to no weight gain, than jump up several pounds, then plateau there for a bit, then jump up again, etc. My total weight gain for the entire pregnancy is only 9 pounds, which is perfectly healthy. As long as it doesn't continue to jump like that, they won't be concerned. If it does, then they'll want to look into reasons why (gestational diabetes, edema, etc.). But... I show no signs of anything other than a healthy pregnancy, so not to worry about it at this point. Even so.... it is still sitting as a shock. But, all is good. Mommy and Baby are both doing well and are healthy... which is the important thing.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Confession, Doctor and Vent
I have a confession... keeping up with two blogs seems to be a bit much sometimes. Yes, I have a second blog. Actually, the baby has a blog**. We have much family out of state and wanted a way to include them in the pregnancy and baby-raising and thought a blog would be a great way to do it. But... there is much on this blog I'm not comfortable with family reading. There's just something about discussing dildocams and intercourse that I just couldn't imagine my mother-in-law reading. And while this blog has shifted from miscarriage and infertility to pregnancy, I do still feel sensitive about it all and there are some baby things I just didn't feel comfortable posting. Which made a second blog the easy answer. I only mention it now because I could have sworn I posted something on here last week, only it never made it to this blog... just the other one.
As it turns out, last weeks cramping wasn't entirely Braxton-Hicks. Some was... but I also had a bladder infection. Went to the doc on Thursday to confirm it and get on some antibiotics. Started feeling better until Sunday on the way home from my grandma's. The pain started getting worse, and was still there on Monday morning. So... when the nurse called me first thing Monday morning with the results of the urine culture (all fine), I told her I was just getting ready to call about the pain. And, after a very active week, baby's movements were quite a bit less, too. Without hesitation, she scheduled me to see the doc that day.
Doc listened to baby's heartbeat and checked my cervix. All is fine. She just thinks that with the nature of my job, I'm going to feel more pulling and stretching than some might. Also pointed out that between 22 and 24 weeks, baby tends to hit a growth spurt... so the stretching pains may be more, and his activity level may be a bit less... but it is all normal. I told her thank you and I wouldn't worry then. To which she gave a "Yeah, right" and laughed. I laughed with her and agreed I would leave it at trying not to worry so much.
And for the vent part... can I just point out (not for the first time) how STUPID some people can be?!? I'm at work yesterday and my co-teacher is on break so a different teacher is in the room with me. Keep in mind, everyone at work knows I am pg... and most everyone knows it was a struggle for us to get here.
So new-teacher and I are in the room, going about daily routines, etc. She and her husband are TTC so there was much pregnancy and baby talk going on. And then... she proceeds to tell me about a friend of hers who is about 4 months pg and just found out she was carrying twins, but one of them died and how they're just waiting for her body to reaborb it. THEN she starts in with a different story about another friend who just went into labor at 24 weeks!
I stopped her mid sentence and basically bit her head offf! I snapped at her that I am 22 weeks pregnant after a loss, high-risk for preterm labor and to stop with all the stories like that. I get freaked out easily enough... I don't need her crap in my head to make it worse.
Seriously, why, why, WHY do people do that??? WHY do they think that a pregnant woman wants to hear stories about pregnancies gone bad... with or without a good outcome. I was so pissed off I couldn't wait for 3 o'clock to come so I could leave for my doctor's appointment. Is it really SO hard to think before you speak???
**I wouldn't be against sharing baby's blog with you, if you are interested. BUT-- I would have to ask that you follow 2 rules. 1) should you leave any comments on it, you post them anonymously and just sign your name. NO links to Blogger profiles that link to your blogs that link to mine. My mom is figuring this stuff out more and more each day, and is certainly the type to follow links around out of curiousity-- and I don't want her stumbling upon this blog because she follows a link from yours. And, 2) I honestly don't remember if I've shared baby's name on here or not. But... we are NOT sharing it with family until he is born... so if you know the name, NO mention of it in posts on his blog. If you can abide by these simple rules, email me for baby blog info.
As it turns out, last weeks cramping wasn't entirely Braxton-Hicks. Some was... but I also had a bladder infection. Went to the doc on Thursday to confirm it and get on some antibiotics. Started feeling better until Sunday on the way home from my grandma's. The pain started getting worse, and was still there on Monday morning. So... when the nurse called me first thing Monday morning with the results of the urine culture (all fine), I told her I was just getting ready to call about the pain. And, after a very active week, baby's movements were quite a bit less, too. Without hesitation, she scheduled me to see the doc that day.
Doc listened to baby's heartbeat and checked my cervix. All is fine. She just thinks that with the nature of my job, I'm going to feel more pulling and stretching than some might. Also pointed out that between 22 and 24 weeks, baby tends to hit a growth spurt... so the stretching pains may be more, and his activity level may be a bit less... but it is all normal. I told her thank you and I wouldn't worry then. To which she gave a "Yeah, right" and laughed. I laughed with her and agreed I would leave it at trying not to worry so much.
And for the vent part... can I just point out (not for the first time) how STUPID some people can be?!? I'm at work yesterday and my co-teacher is on break so a different teacher is in the room with me. Keep in mind, everyone at work knows I am pg... and most everyone knows it was a struggle for us to get here.
So new-teacher and I are in the room, going about daily routines, etc. She and her husband are TTC so there was much pregnancy and baby talk going on. And then... she proceeds to tell me about a friend of hers who is about 4 months pg and just found out she was carrying twins, but one of them died and how they're just waiting for her body to reaborb it. THEN she starts in with a different story about another friend who just went into labor at 24 weeks!
I stopped her mid sentence and basically bit her head offf! I snapped at her that I am 22 weeks pregnant after a loss, high-risk for preterm labor and to stop with all the stories like that. I get freaked out easily enough... I don't need her crap in my head to make it worse.
Seriously, why, why, WHY do people do that??? WHY do they think that a pregnant woman wants to hear stories about pregnancies gone bad... with or without a good outcome. I was so pissed off I couldn't wait for 3 o'clock to come so I could leave for my doctor's appointment. Is it really SO hard to think before you speak???
**I wouldn't be against sharing baby's blog with you, if you are interested. BUT-- I would have to ask that you follow 2 rules. 1) should you leave any comments on it, you post them anonymously and just sign your name. NO links to Blogger profiles that link to your blogs that link to mine. My mom is figuring this stuff out more and more each day, and is certainly the type to follow links around out of curiousity-- and I don't want her stumbling upon this blog because she follows a link from yours. And, 2) I honestly don't remember if I've shared baby's name on here or not. But... we are NOT sharing it with family until he is born... so if you know the name, NO mention of it in posts on his blog. If you can abide by these simple rules, email me for baby blog info.
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