19 weeks

I didn't update after my appointment last week because there wasn't much to say... Everything looks great. My hyperemesis is gone. Now I'm fine as long as I eat every couple of hours. I'm having to eat a substantial snack before bed because otherwise I wake up in the middle of the night needing to eat IMMEDIATELY. I've got snacks stashed everywhere - my purse, the cars, my viola case, my bedside stand - just in case I suddenly need to eat something. It's nice to be able to eat again. My blood pressure is holding steady with a nice low systolic over a moderately high diastolic. I think it was 112 / 82 at my last appointment. To me this is weird, but it's been consistent and they don't seem concerned so I'm not going to worry about it! With pre-eclampsia they look at the overall numbers and also at how your numbers jump from appointment to appointment. Consistency is a good thing. So, things are going quite well. So well, in fact, that my doctor proclaimed she didn't need to see me for a whole four weeks! I would celebrate this except that my BIG ultrasound is at my next appointment. It was supposed to be at 20 weeks, now it is scheduled for 22. We are anxious to find out if this baby is a boy or girl! This baby is teaching us patience.

When Speck of Dust is born, it will get my sewing room. (I don't really mind.) I surveyed the room a few days ago, though, and I've got a lot of stuff in there! I'm trying to use fabric NOW so that I can fit into a smaller space. This dress goes together so fast. I've made three so far and I'm planning to make several more for Alice, Maggie, and various other little girls in my life. Alice has requested that I monkey with the pattern to come up with a version for her American Girl dolls, so that is on my to-do list. Here is my first attempt. As-is, the neckline is a little too low on Alice. It's also a tad too roomy on her. Attempt #2. I raised the neckline by an inch or so and was more generous using my seam allowances. Much better fit. Here is the back: I've finished a 3rd one and if I can convince Alice to model it I'll edit in some pictures. Cute, huh? The pattern is a download from Lil Blue Boo.

14 week appointment

Hooray for the 2nd trimester!!!!! There were many times over the past several years that I never thought I'd get here!

I had my first visit with the new OB today. I loved her. She is really, really great. (Completely the opposite of that horrible nurse.) She is also (more importantly) very on top of things. Here's the recap:

My next appointment is in 4 weeks, when I will be 18 weeks. That will be my last normal appointment. After that I will have appointments and ultrasounds every 1 - 2 weeks (starting at 20 weeks) through the end of the 2nd trimester. 2 weeks if things are going well, less if they feel like I need to be watched more carefully.

Starting in the 3rd trimester (27/28 weeks) I will have twice weekly appointments / ultrasounds until delivery.

We will be able to fill up a photo album before the child is even born.

Why all the appointments? Well, this is a high risk pregnancy. I've already had one preemie due to pre-term labor, I had pre-eclampsia in my last pregnancy, and I have multiple clotting disorders. What this means is that I'm at a higher risk for things like pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, problems with the placenta, and low amniotic fluid.

Scary, yes. BUT I will be watched like a hawk. I have also developed a loud mouth since Alice was born. I am not afraid to speak up to doctors and to advocate for myself (or my child) when I feel that something is wrong. I have friends who have had similar medical issues who have done very well, so this CAN be done. We're choosing optimism.

Smarty Pants

Yesterday I had my first visit at the regular OB's office. They did an ultrasound. Baby looks great - it is most definitely a thumb sucker. After that the tech asked me for a urine sample. You'll never guess what they did with it... A pregnancy test! It came back positive, thank GOD, because if it hadn't I would really be concerned about the THING growing in my belly.

I told Alice about this and she thought it was hilarious. Then she became very sober and said, "You know, Mom, maybe you should go to a different doctor. I don't think this one is very smart."

For what it's worth, I didn't actually see a doctor this time. It was an orientation appointment that normally takes place at 6 or 7 weeks. I will see the OB for the first time next week for my 12 week appointment. I will be 14 weeks....

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A few weeks ago Alice was lamenting that she was frustrated because she hadn't met her reading speed goal on a computer program at school. We asked her how many words per minute she was reading. 178. The goal was 212. This seemed crazy to us, so Tim looked up some statistics.

The average 2nd grader is reading 90 words per minute at the END of 2nd grade when tested on 2nd grade level material.

Average 5th graders read 130 words per minute at the end of 5th grade.

Adults read between 200 - 300 words per minute.

Alice was very excited to tell me that she met her speed goal today. She is now reading 214 words per minute on above level reading material.

Wow. Just wow.

Me: Ugh. I feel sick...

Alice: Did you take a Secretariat? You should really take a Secretariat. Or maybe 1/2 a Secretariat.

(I'm taking zofran and phenergan for nausea. They are definitely not horse pills...)

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Me: Did you know the baby is getting fingerprints this week?

A: Really? Wow..... What if it doesn't get fingerprints?

Me: Um. I guess it wouldn't be able to pick things up very easily.

A: Well, Daddy has arches on his fingerprints but you and I have whorls on ours. I wonder what Speck of Dust will have..... What if it has ALIEN fingerprints?!?!

Me: (trying to figure out how the heck she knows what kinds of fingerprints we all have) Huh?

A: You know, aliens??? Like, from outer space??? I'm going to be really mad if Speck of Dust has alien fingerprints.

Me: okay... Why?

A: (looking at me like I'm an idiot) Because I want alien fingerprints.