Stories

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

02/27/07 - I had my 38 week checkup today.  Everything is still looking good.  Avery's head is still down, her heartbeat was in the 150's, my blood pressure was good, and there really hasn't been a significant change as far as dilation goes.  I'm pretty much the same as I was at my 36 week appointment (just barely 1 cm).  My doctor said she thinks she'll more than likely see me on Monday at my 39th week checkup.  = )  She said at that time we'd talk about my options if I were to go beyond my due date.  She did say she'd only let me go 1 week over, so that was a bit of a relief!  All of this talk from my mom about her carrying me a whole extra month beyond her due date was starting to freak me out!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

02/19/07 - Yay!  I finally got my ultrasound today!!  Avery's measurements are right on with my due date.  According to the ultrasound measurements, she's about 6 lbs. 13 oz. and is in the 54th percentile for her weight.  My OB said babies will gain 1/4 - 1/2 pound every week from here on out, so it looks like we'll have a nice sized little girl.  We were able to see on the ultrasound that she has hair!  They were just tiny, little hairs sticking straight up.  Looks like she's got her daddy's hair growth pattern!  Ha!  We also got a really clear view of her nose and lips.  The ultrasound tech said "look at her perfect lips - they're just like her mama's!"  She also checked (for the 3rd time) to make sure she was still a girl, and yes - we could see her "hamburger buns"! 

My doctor said everything looks good, and she doesn't see any red flags that would indicate me delivering early.  She said it seems that I'm just carrying big, and my due date is right on.  Despite my very swollen feet, ankles and hands, my blood pressure is still very good. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

 02/12/07 - Well, my 3rd attempt at getting my ultrasound done was unsuccessful!  I'm now scheduled to get the ultrasound next Monday at 1:30. 

My doctor decided to do an exam today to check my progress.  She said I'm only dilated to barely 1 cm, but my cervix is definitely softened, which is a start!  She could also tell that Avery is in a head-down position, so that is good.

My blood pressure is still good, considering how swollen my feet and ankles have been.  She said from this point on, if I go into labor, they wouldn't stop it.  So - we could have a baby at any time from here on out! 

I was having a frustrating time last night trying to find a t-shirt or PJ's that fit loose enough for me to sleep in.  I tried Steve's shirts and they weren't loose enough either, so Steve went out today to get me some "PJ's".  He went to the Big & Tall men's store and bought me a gray ASU t-shirt that is a 6XL!!!!  I am swimming in it, but it feels GREAT!  Check out the picture on my picture's page!  He also came home with a Lladro "My Little Girl" to add to my collection.  I posted a picture of that as well.  I'm enjoying all of the special treatment while it lasts, because once our little girl gets here, I know she'll become the QUEEN of this castle!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

02/11/07 - I just uploaded my 36 weeks picture.  As you can see, my maternity tops are getting shorter and shorter.  I can't wait to be able to put on whatever I want in my closet again.  My maternity selections are getting fewer and fewer!

Steve and I just got back from The Melting Pot for dinner.  It was our early Valentine's Day dinner and kind of our last "hurrah" as husband and wife before we become mommy and daddy.  I wish the pool was warm enough so I could hop in and feel weightless for an hour or so! 

I've had swollen feet and hands for an entire week now.  None of my shoes fit, so I had to go buy a couple of pairs of shoes to get me through.  I went from a 9 1/2 pre-pregnancy to a size 11 now! 

My doctor's office called and said they will try to work in my ultrasound tomorrow when I'm there for my checkup.  We'll see . . . !  I'll fill you in on that visit tomorrow.

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

01/29/2007 - I went for my 34 week check-up today.  My doctor measured me and said "Oh my gosh, you're measuring really big today!"  I'm measuring between 2 1/2 - 3 weeks bigger!  I told my doctor that I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions lately, and even woke up from a sound sleep last night with a more "real" contraction.  I had pain all across my lower abdomen and lower back in the night, then again this morning while I was getting ready for work.  I also had horrible heartburn in the night and all day today, in addition to feeling sick to my stomach off and on.  Avery doesn't feel like she's head down any longer, like she was at 26 weeks, so my doctor ordered up another ultrasound to check her size and position. 

We went for a tour of the hospital on Sunday.  It's a brand new, and very nice facility.  The staff seemed very nice and willingly answered our long list of questions.   

We have our last childbirth class on Wednesday night.  They've been very interesting and helpful, so we feel pretty prepared for the big day. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

01/15/07 - Everything still looks good, according to my doctor.  In fact, her words were "You're doing awesome!".  = )  My blood pressure, weight gain and Avery's heartbeat are all great.  The doctor said she doesn't see any reason why I can't work right up to my due date, unless something changes between now and then.  I have been experiencing those Braxton-Hicks contractions and didn't even realize what they were until I explained what I've been feeling to my Dr. today.  She said that's totally normal to be having those types of contractions and some sharp pains now. 

We started our childbirth preparation classes this past week.  They are 4 weeks long.  The first one wasn't too informative. . . . I pretty much knew everything we talked about from reading so many books.  The part that I'm most interested in is the breathing class.  My goal is to not have an epidural . . .  only pain meds. if needed.  I like the idea of being able to get up, walk around and change positions through labor rather than have numb legs and be bed ridden for hours . . . . so we'll see what happens when the time comes!

We're signed up to take the tour of the hospital at the end of this month.  Time is really flying by quickly! 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

1/4/07 - Happy New Year!  We're looking forward to an exciting year and hope yours is filled with happiness and good health!

I went to my doctor's appointment yesterday.  My belly is measuring 32 centimeters, which is two weeks ahead again.  I asked my doctor if she thought I was going to deliver early and she said she thinks I'll still be in March.  She said with me being so short-waisted, I'm just carrying larger.  That was good news for me to hear because I don't want Miss Avery to come until my Spring Break!  (I might be saying otherwise as this belly gets bigger!)  I was a little nervous about my weight gain over the holidays, but much to my surprise, my doctor was actually pleased!  She said having gained a total of 17 pounds at 30 weeks pregnant was great!  (Phew!  I was so worried because those peanut M&M's were disappearing from the dish very fast!)  The heartbeat sounded good and was in the 150's range.  I now start going to my appointments every two weeks. 

We've got an appointment/tour scheduled in a few weeks with the pediatrician that we plan to use, and are getting ready to sign up for our childbirth class and tour of the hospital.  In a few weeks, I'll start washing Avery's bedding and clothes to get ready for her arrival.  I can't believe we're down to only 9 weeks left!

I'm still feeling GREAT, but sleeping continues to be a struggle.  Steve told me the other day that "sharing a bed with me is like sleeping on a moon walk".  That would be a pretty good description of it!  I'm back and forth between our bed and the recliner throughout the night.  I'm actually considering just moving into the guest room so I have all the pillows I want surrounding me and can flip-flop and fluff the pillows as many times as I wish throughout the night!   

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

12/28/06 - Merry Christmas!  I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating with your family.  Steve and I can't help but wonder how different next year's Christmas will be for us with a 9 month old.  We are already looking forward to the excitement!

I haven't posted anything in a while, so I just thought I'd let you know that I have been feeling GREAT for the past 4 weeks.  My heart has finally settled down and I rarely even have palpatations (knock on wood)!  I am finally enjoying being pregnant!!!  I love feeling all of Avery's movements and can now just sit back and watch my belly move from side to side through my shirt. 

On Christmas morning we were driving to the Maize's house listening to the Tim McGraw CD that I bought for Steve.  During every fast song, Avery moved around like crazy.  I think we have a little dancer in the womb!  Steve has fallen in love with Tim's song, "My Little Girl". 

I have my next appointment on the 3rd of January, so I will update more then.

Have a fun and safe New Year's celebration!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

12/04/06 - We got some great news today at my appointment.  The placenta has moved up, and I do not have Placenta Previa!  Whew! 

As you can see, we got some new pictures of our baby girl.  We also had the ultrasound tech check again to make sure she's still a she . . . and we could clearly see her female part!  Her little bum cheeks were sooo cute!

My belly is measuring about 28 cm., which is about 2 weeks ahead of schedule.  The doctor is still pleased with my weight gain - which is 12 pounds now.  I had the pleasure of drinking that awful orange drink today to do the glucose test.  On top of that, I woke up with nasty heartburn/reflux and couldn't take anything for it because of doing the glucose test.  = (  I should get the results back in 2-3 days.  They are also checking my iron levels at this time. 

Avery has been wiggling, moving and kicking almost non-stop today since my appointment.  I think she must be on a sugar high from that sugar infused drink.  Poor little thing! 

I will update again when I get my results from the blood work.

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

12/02/06 - Today was my baby shower!  It was great having so many friends and family here to celebrate this exciting time with me.  I am overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and love.  If Avery only knew at this moment how many special people she is going to meet someday soon!  Steve and I just sat on the floor in the office and went through all of the amazing gifts we've received.  Steve can't believe how much "pink" he is surrounded by. = )  I can't beleive how much "stuff" a tiny, little baby needs!

I've posted a few pictures from the shower.  As my mom sends me more, I will update the site.  

Thank you again to all who came from near and far today, and most of all, thank you for your kindness and love. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

11/24/06 - Happy Thanksgiving!  We had a nice dinner yesterday with our families and hope you did as well.

My dad, mom and sister are here today to work on Avery's room.  My dad will be hanging a white chair rail, then painting the room with the help of my sister.  I'm so excited to see the finished product!  I'll be sure and post a picture when it's done. 

I had my appointment with the Electrophysiologist's P.A. on Wednesday.  She looked at my EKG that the paramedics gave me.  It showed my heart beating at nearly 250 beats, the "conversion" when they gave me the injection, then my heart rate after the injection.  I am so thankful to finally have that "rhythm" on record so the doctors can now see exactly what goes on with my heart during these episodes.  She said I could take the Metaprolol (Beta Blockers) on an as-needed basis to help with the palpatations that I've been having.  She said they would lower my blood pressure, as well as the baby's, but not to the point where it would be dangerous to the baby.  Once again she suggested that I have the ablation after I have Avery.  She said my type of S.V.T. is the "typical" type and is easily treatable with the surgery (a 98% success rate, with the risk of a 1% chance of needing a pacemaker after the surgery).  She said she's very confident that having the ablation done once will take care of the problem forever.  

Well, that's about all she said.  There's really nothing I can do to prevent further episodes, aside from not drinking beverages with caffiene, or eating chocolate!!!  I haven't been drinking soda or coffee, but am still working on the whole chocolate thing!    It's hard enough to give up Starbucks, much less CHOCOLATE!

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

11/07/06 - I saw my OB yesterday and filled her in on all of the recent "happenings".  She would like me to follow up with the Electrophysiologist to see if I should take a medication that would lessen the chance of me having another episode.  She said the medication would be safe for me at this point in my pregnancy. 

Yesterday was the first time she measured my belly, and my measurements were right on - 22 1/2 weeks.  She's very happy with my weight gain, which is just 7 lbs., and said the baby's heartbeat sounded really good.  (It was really loud this time!)   She said Steve should be able to start feeling her movements, and my Dr. even felt her move while she was trying to measure me. 

As for my nasty cold that I've come down with, I am unable to take any decongestants because they all have an ingredient that causes a rapid heartbeat - which is the last thing I  need right now!  

My next appointment is a big one.  I'll be doing the glucose screening/bloodwork, having an ultrasound to check the location of the placenta, and having an appointment with my OB again for my check-up.   

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

11/04/06 - I've posted a picture of the bedding set that we've chosen for Avery.  It's called "Blossoms" from Babies-R-Us, and it's sooo soft and cute!  We are still looking around for a crib and dresser/changing table set.  We were a little "sticker shocked" today at our first outing, so we're going to keep looking.  

When we were in Wisconsin, my Grandpa Greenheck let us in on a little secret.  He is making Avery a cradle!  We are so excited to be getting such a gorgeous, handmade bed for our little girl.   

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below:

11/02/06 - Well, I guess it's time to update our website with all of the excitement we've had this past week.

Last Thursday, Steve and I went back to Wisconsin for a long weekend.  We had a great time and I was thrilled to finally see Brett Favre play at my 1st Packer game. 

We were at the airport in Madison on Monday waiting at the gate to leave when the lady from Midwest Airlines came up and said all flights to Milwaukee had been canceled due to mechanical trouble.  We were instructed to go downstairs, pick up our luggage and we'd be taken by taxi to Milwaukee to catch our connecting flight.  Just as we were about to walk through the door to catch a cab, my heart started pounding - very fast.  (It was the heart condition that I have acting up).  My OB previously told me if I couldn't get it under control by myself within 20 minutes., I needed to go to the hospital.  After 30 minutes, I couldn't get it under control and I was very light-headed, so Steve called 911. 

I was taken by ambulance to St. Mary's hospital (I was born there!).  On the way, they gave me an injection that caused my heart to stop and restart.  The EMT's couldn't get a pulse on me because my heartbeat was so fast - 250 beats per minute!  After the injection, (a horrible experience!), my heartbeat went down to 120. 

At the hospital, they ran a bunch of tests: bloodwork, EKG, and an Echocardiogram.  My bloodwork came back showing that I may have had some damage to my heart, but to follow up with my doctors here in AZ.  They didn't seem concerned with the baby at all, so we asked them if they'd at least check her heartbeat.  It was pounding strong at 150!  Then the Cardiologist came in and said there really wasn't anything further they could do for me in the hospital and they were going to send me home.  He was concerned that my heartrate was still fluctuating between 110 and 120 (normal for a pregnant woman would be between 75 - 85), but said he was going to release me and I needed to take it easy and call 911 if my heartrate were to go back up.  He gave me a prescription for some type of Beta Blocker to lessen the chance of me having an episode while on the plane.  However, he said some OB's do not like their patients to take them, plus they lower your blood pressure and cause dizziness.  I didn't want to chance things with taking a new drug and being on a 4 hour flight, so I didn't end up taking them.  

Thankfully, we were able to get on a flight the next afternoon (Tuesday).  The nice people in Milwaukee moved some people around so Steve and I could sit together.  Everything went fine on the plane ride home, and it feels so good to be home and near my doctors. 

I stayed home from work yesterday and today to try and rest because I still feel like my heartrate is elevated slightly. I am looking forward to feeling "normal" again!!

I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday with my OB, so I will fill her in on all of the "excitement".  I will update with any new information then. 

Add A Comment: Your Name:

Please enter the number below: