Little Bear is HERE!

Little Bear arrived on January 28th, 2015 at 8:28pm!
SHE is perfect!

Kaylee Anne
1/28/2015
8:28pm
6 lbs 8.6 oz
19.5 inches


As you can imagine, with Tyler still being away at training, life is EXTREMELY hectic. But I'm loving this new mommy life, and Kaylee is absolutely perfect.

38 Weeks Pregnant!

So I had my next appointment today (1/13/2015) I am 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant, and all is still going great! 

Baby is NOT breech anymore! WOO HOO for a head down baby! Baby is still measuring a week small (just like at the last ultrasound) but he said it's no cause for concern. 

Still no signs of labor anytime soon, so they went ahead and scheduled an induction date for a few days after my due date (as a "just in case") my OB says most people don't make it to their induction date though. 

We also had an ultrasound today, baby is estimated to be just under 6.5 lbs currently (though these guesstimates are notoriously wrong) My blood pressure is still good, my weight gain is still good. So really no changes. Baby had a nice strong heartbeat too (though I didn't get a heart rate count)

As I said, not much (anything) has changed, so there really isn't much to update on. 

Here's a picture from our ultrasound:

I haven't heard but once from Tyler, but I do know that morale is low with everyone after coming back from Holiday Block Leave. He is doing good, but it's hard. They've had several people quit, and two of his buddies are leaving for medical reasons. So a short, quick letter letting him know you're thinking of him wouldn't hurt! Let me know if you need his address. Their training got pushed back a little due to 3 degree weather, so they're REALLY packing in the training with the "warm" (above 30 degrees is what I'm calling warm) so he doesn't have much time to write (it took him 3 days to write a tiny amount) but him getting letters REALLY helps boost morale. So if you can spare a few moments and a stamp, we'd both appreciate the effort!

Like I said, there isn't much to update on... so this is where I'll leave off. My last doctors appointment is Tuesday 1/20/2015. Baby is due 1/24/2015. We shall see how the next week or so plays out!


xoxox,

T, H and Baby S!

37 Weeks Pregnant!

Hi guys! I know it's been over a month since my last update... My appointments have been EVERY week... so I don't feel like there has been much (anything) to really update on as the changes are so very, very little. As of my last appointment today (January 6th), everything is still great! Baby's heart rate has consistently been 130-140 every appointment, although baby kicks as soon as they put the doppler on my belly to hear the heartbeat - every time. My blood pressure has remained good, my weight gain has been good... Although the week we drove up to get Tyler, I gained 5 lbs! (from lack of activity and more food than normal) It was great to have him home for this little bit, but was very excited to get back and get it "over with" so to speak. He's doing great (and looks fantastic!) He received a position of leadership, so he's feeling the stress from that, but that also means his Drill Sergeants know who he is (instead of being a wall flower) which is good (and could be bad if he screws up - no pressure!) He enjoyed more than his fair share of junk food, long and hot showers, video games, talking, and just relaxing while he was home.

A really cool thing, while he was home, his Senior Drill Sergeant called twice to check up on all of the soldiers in his platoon... On Tyler's 2nd call, the drill sergeant asked about ME AND BABY! Tyler was blown away by this, that not only did he remember that Tyler is married with a baby on the way, but cared enough to ask... See that position of leadership isn't ALWAYS a bad thing (;

While he was home, we built the crib (FINALLY!!!) and put the bedding on, washed the baby's clothes up to 3 months, washed the bedding, ordered our cloth diapers, packed the hospital/diaper bags... basically we're ready for baby!

We still need to install the car seat, but we didn't want to leave it sitting there for the next three weeks or so without being used and exposed to the temperature. So for now we're holding off.

Now that he's back at training, our cloth diapers have arrived, and are in the process of their preparatory washing (THREE hot wash & THREE dry cycles before they're even used!) I haven't heard from Tyler yet (his first full day back was a Sunday, so no mail...) but I should get a letter in the next day or two to hear how he's doing being back. What was really nice is that I got to meet some of his buddies when we dropped him off. All of the ones I met are in committed relationships and/or engaged so it's been nice for him to have some guys who understand his situation and they can all lean on each other. 

Some other things: 

Tyler and I have decided to be very careful with posting and sharing baby's pictures. (with the way the world is going, you can never be too careful, and the idea of baby's photo being available to anyone, anywhere, makes our skin crawl) Obviously, that is not to say you will not have pictures of baby! We will be sharing (probably over sharing!) pictures. We have chosen to try and find a safer way to share these with those close to us (family and friends) aside from Facebook, or even this blog. Again, this is just to ensure baby's safety. I am currently working on back posting all pregnancy related pictures to a secure website, and as long as I see no issues with it's security, I will be posting pictures of baby on there as well. Basically what this website is, is a timeline. When I add a picture, it asks for a date, and puts pictures in chronological order. You can see all of the little thumbnails to scroll through, and then once you click on a thumbnail, it opens to a larger picture. This website creates a unique password for each person I share it with, and you can only view the pictures with that password. What else is cool about this website, is that I can revoke someone's password at anytime, and they would no longer have access. Which is nice and adds another sense of security, that IF we were in that situation where I had already given out access, but was no longer comfortable with someone viewing our pictures, I can revoke their access. Tyler and I also plan getting old school printed photos and mailing those out. Basically, we're trying to ensure baby's photo's are shared only with family and reputable people. I know it sounds like we're over thinking everything, but after seeing some very unpleasant things online, it has become a big deal.

I will share that website and passwords once baby is born (currently it's only the pregnancy update pictures - speaking of which I added more to the page up top!)

We're still unsure if baby is breech (feet down) and my next ultrasound is scheduled for my 39 week appointment (January 13th) we should also be finding out in the next few weeks, my scheduled induction date if baby decides to overstay their welcome. We are officially in the home stretch (18 days left!)

Like I said, I'm still doing good. Just sleepier now. Tyler thinks it's funny, but I wake up, eat breakfast and am ready for a nap! I'm very thankful for how easy and complication-free this pregnancy has been! I am a part of a birth group with 38 other women who are due between January 15-31... It's very nice to see how well my body has reacted to being pregnant. I am (at 37 weeks and 3 days pregnant) sleeping great, have had no swelling, no signs of preterm labor, no morning sickness, no headaches, no real complaints (heck, I can still walk multiple miles at a time!)

I'll update again next week after my ultrasound!

But to end this, here's a picture from today... 37 weeks and 3 days pregnant... at Target! (: Still small, and pretty much only belly! This baby is running out of room!

xoxox,
T, H & Baby S!

Update!

Hi guys! I know it's been a while since my last update, but I was waiting for some test results and more information before updating things.

BABY S:

I failed my 1 hour glucose test (testing for gestational diabetes - GD) so I was sent for a 3 hour test which is considered a diagnostic test, if I failed this one, I would be diagnosed with GD (they make you drink 10oz of liquid that EACH OUNCE has 10 GRAMS of sugar per ounce... so 100 grams) they then draw your blood 3 times (once an hour for three hours) to test your sugar levels. I just got the results - I PASSED!!!!! So I indulged in 2 pieces of pie for Thanksgiving... which is SO unlike me! So I am very happy that I passed. Aside from that, everything has been perfectly fine. No issues, all measurements are on track, heartbeat has been good. My OB is very happy with everything so far! I am currently 31 weeks and 5 days pregnant (as of today, Thanksgiving, 11/27/14) So we're less than TWO MONTHS from baby's due date! So we're in the home stretch! My belly size hasn't really grown that much more, so as baby is getting bigger (my pregnancy app says baby is currently about 18 inches long and 3.5 lbs) my room for food/breathing is getting limited. VERY limited. If I walk up the stairs, or walk for a long period of time, I breathe like I ran a marathon... it's really a fantastic trait when you don't look that pregnant to be breathing like a crazy person. haha. We have almost all of the 'essentials' for baby, the only thing we still need are diapers (which are supposed to be on a Black Friday sale, so I've been holding off to see what the deal will be) baby shampoo/wash (inexpensive, I just haven't gotten around to getting it yet) and baby laundry detergent (again, inexpensive, just haven't needed it yet so I haven't gotten around to it.) Other than that, everything else can wait (high chair, etc. that we won't need for several months) So it feels good to check things off our list. Next up is making sure baby's bag and my bag are packed for the hospital! (How are we already preparing for baby's arrival?!!!! I feel like it was just yesterday we announced we were expecting!)

TYLER:

As you all know, Tyler is now in basic. He was actually allowed a phone call today for Thanksgiving, which was nice. He said basic's rough, of course, he's in the hardest platoon of his company. Their platoon has to earn everything (whereas other platoons in his company just 'got' certain privileges) a few examples he gave, at the end of certain training exercises they shout out their platoon name (I think he said his platoon was the Warlords?) His platoon is NOT allowed to shout that... they have not EARNED it. They also were issued normal eyeglasses to wear, however, his platoon is NOT authorized to wear them, they have to wear their big 'ole glasses - referred to as BCG's or Birth Control Glasses (because they're so unattractive) and they can't wear their other eyewear until they have earned it. He's had some good experiences with Drill Sergeants (as well as some not-so-good ones!) From what he said, they sat him down a few times to discuss the fact he would be missing baby's birth, and were very personal with him "from one father to another father" talks. He's got some awesome battle buddies, he's said a few times that they're "friends for life kind of friendships - which is crazy because I just met them" He's getting into a rhythm there, and impressed with the fact he's "already getting defined muscles" and he said time is flying by for him, which is good. Because his platoon has to earn their privileges, he currently has VERY little time to write letters - he is actually not writing much during that time, because that is also his time to ready his uniform for the following day as well as shower... So there isn't much time left to write letters and get ready for bed. The weather has also been crazy. Since he's been there it's been down to the 20's, up to the 70's, it's been sunny, rained, tornado warnings. So he's battling a little bit of a cold, and I'm sure the weather doesn't really help. Hopefully as he progresses through, he'll get more freedom and be able to write more. But as of right now the only letters I have received are from before basic started. He wanted me to let you all know he's doing okay, and that he loves you. He wishes he had time to call and talk to everyone, but he said his drill sergeant went home for Thanksgiving, and he was stuck with a butthead (he used a more colorful word) of a drill sergeant, and they weren't even allowed in their bay to make their call, they had to stand out in the cold with 200+ people fighting for 12 outlets to charge their phones.

I think that is everything to update you guys on, I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving! 

As of right now (if there are no complications) my appointment schedule for the remainder of this pregnancy is:

December 2nd

December 16th

December 22nd

December 30th

January 6th

January 13

January 20th

DUE January 24th

I will let you all know when/if my OB sets up an induction date/c-section date (if baby is still breech)

Love you all

xoxox, Heather, Tyler, and Baby S!  

Maternity Pictures & Tyler Update

So as you all know, Tyler is officially sworn in and at Reception for basic training. He is very excited and I'll keep you all informed as time goes on!

A few days before he left, we took some maternity pictures. So I wanted to share those with all of you (and some awesome goofy ones he - or we - snuck in!)

26 Week Appointment

Today, we had our 26 week appointment (I'm currently 25w3d - so a few days early) This was pretty much just a "maintenance" appointment. We were in, and out and on the rode within 30 minutes. The appointment went something like this:

I half walk/ran because they require a urine sample, I had waited to wake up until right before we had to leave, so had to pee like a race horse (Too much information? (; sorry!) and it was raining. Joy. 

So finally got inside, and signed in then practically ran to the restroom. 

By the time I got back to the waiting room and almost to my seat, they called us back. The nurse weighed me in, still weigh the same as last month. 

She then took my blood pressure (117/79) which is a little high for me.

She checks the baby's heart rate (156 bpm) which is the highest it's been thus far, she said baby kicked her while she was listening, which their heart rate rises while active. So perfectly normal!

Then the doctor came in and says he's really pleased with my weight gain (or lack thereof) So far, I am very low risk, which is great. He measured my belly, and everything measured fine. We talked about my blood pressure and what the limits are for pregnancy induced hypertension and preeclampsia, which I am still quite a distance from, but I did mention that they measure my BP higher in office than when I do on my own. He referred to it as office syndrome (or white coat syndrome) where doctors offices generally raise your blood pressure. He is not currently worried about my blood pressure at all. 

Last ultrasound baby was breech (feet/butt down) His practice is if when the time comes, baby is still breech, I will have a c-section. He stated that 98.5% of babies will flip to be head down by the time labor begins. Ultimately, the method of delivery is least important, the health of the mom and baby are what he focuses on, and there are too many possible complications for naturally delivering a breech baby or attempting to manually turn the baby. So we'll see as time progresses if baby decides to turn or not. 

Next appointment is my glucose tolerance test. (can you feel the enthusiasm in that??? No??? me neither) I will eat protein, no carb, no sugar breakfast; then when I get into the office, I have 5 minutes to drink a sugar drink (supposed to taste like flat sugary soda) it's 50mg of sugar, I then sit in the waiting room for an hour (no food or drink) and then they draw blood to test my blood sugar levels. If my blood sugar is below 130? I believe is what he said, I am less than a 5% chance of developing gestational diabetes. If my blood sugar is above that, I move on to a 3 hour glucose test (same process except I wait 3 hours) I've always had lower blood sugar, so hopefully my luck holds up and I pass this first one!

I still have yet to be noticed that I'm pregnant which is quite sad seeing as I'm 6 1/2 months pregnant and almost through this pregnancy. I had loved (almost) every minute of this pregnancy, and it's bittersweet that I have at most 3 months and 10 days left before baby is here. 

Time in general is flying by, we have 2 newborn classes next week, Tyler's last day at work is the end of next week, our baby shower is the following week, the glucose test is a few days after that, and then Tyler ships out for basic a week and a half later. Some point in there we're going to take some maternity pictures, pack up some of our stuff that's not in use, and enjoy our last little bit of time together as a couple before he leaves for basic and we welcome our newest addition. 

*There are also new pictures under the pregnancy photo tab above! 

xoxox,

T, H & Baby S

Is he a he or she a she?

As you all know, we have chosen to NOT find out the sex of Baby S until birth... However, while we are at peace with that decision, I know it drives many people insane not knowing! So, I decided to put together this picture of Old Wives Tales and what they say we are having. There is NO scientific proof to any of these, but it's fun regardless!

Heart Rate: Heart rate above 140 says girl, below 140 says boy. Baby's heart rate has been 130-140 both times, so boy

Mayan Calendar: Age at conception + year of conception. If even means girl, odd means boy. So boy (accidentally put this on the wrong side in the picture, WHOOPS!)

Sleep Side: If you sleep on your left side said to be BOY, right side GIRL. I sleep on my left - so boy

Craving: Savory and salty means boy, sweet means girl. Craving tons of fruit lately, so girl

Mood: If you're happy mostly said to be BOY, moody it is said to be GIRL. I've been happy - so boy

Chinese Chart: This chart takes age at conception and month of conception and based on those, it says girl

Dad-to-be Weight: If dad to be gains weight during pregnancy GIRL, if no weight gain BOY. He has lost weight - so boy

Headaches: Increased headaches says boy, no increase says girl. I have had minimal headaches, so girl

Mother's Intuition: I wouldn't call it "intuition" but I think boy.

Skin: Dry skin says boy, not any different girl. My hands were dry for a little while, but only a week or two. so I will count that as girl

Morning Sickness: Morning sickness says girl, no morning sickness boy. I haven't had anything other than mild nausea. so counting that for boy

Father's Intuition: Tyler is certain baby is a girl