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3/8/10 She's here!!! I'm too tired and sore to sit here and write about it... I will do it later. For now, enjoy the pictures. = )
3/1/10 Its 5 in the morning and I'm up... and ready to go. Cannot wait for today to be over. Will post more updates as soon as we return home.
2/24/10 My oh my... what a hot mess Mommy is... Last friday, I took the big sister to-be out for a last Mommy and Me trip to the zoo. I kept having a lot of sharp stabbing pains after our trip and called the doctor to seek advice. They never called me back. (Until this morning!!!!)
Saturday night, I went in after having some contractions that made me throw up. I was hooked up to monitors and checked and discovered that I was contracting regularly, but was at 1 and 30 % effaced... so in other words NOTHING GOING ON. They cut me loose at 1 am and I came home and went to bed. Sunday night, I started with the contractions again, but refused to go in and get checked and instead took a hot bath, drank water and went to bed.
Monday morning, I woke up with a pretty sore back. I got up and got ready to head out for my regularly scheduled NST. After breakfast and a shower, I checked my blood sugar and found it to be 202!! Probably the highest reading I have ever had... I had a feeling something was up, so I when I got to the hospital I asked to be tested for a kidney infection. They ran my urine and discovered that not only did I have bacteria, but I was spilling sugar, protein and a lot of blood into my urine as well. AKA I had a pretty bad infection going that was causing my stabbing pains, back pain and screwy blood sugar.... boy am I so glad that A) The doctor didn't call me back on friday, B) the damn nurse at L & D didn't run my urine on saturday and instead sent me home with paperwork explaining about gestational diabetes (Like I don't know what the hell that is already or how to deal with it after having it for a grand total of 79 wks!!!)
Its a good thing I know a little something about medicine myself or I could have really gotten screwed up and possibly hurt Peyton as well. I'm now on antibiotics which I am scheduled to finish the night before my surgery. And they have pumped up my insulin yet again to control the high blood sugars caused from the infection.
The clock is ticking... but not nearly fast enough. Miss Peyton, we cannot wait for you to get here... to meet you and to be done with this pregnancy. LOL!!
2/16/10 Peyton Elizabeth FALL OUT ALREADY!!!! Lol!
1/29/10 We are 35 wks and counting. I cannot wait to meet Miss Peyton... although when she gets here, I'm sure I'll wish for a few more days without her. Hahahaha. I get the official word on the surgery date today... as soon as the doctors office opens. They tried to call me yesterday, but I missed the call and when I called back the girl had left for the day. I was super mad!! For security and safety reasons, I will not be posting the date on this or any other web page. I will be contacting people later on today with this information.
The next 4-5 weeks will be a whirlwind of appointments as we get closer to the finish line. I now go to the hospital twice a week for Non Stress Testing or NST's, to make sure that Peyton is thriving on the inside. In the event that I fail a test, I have to go for an ultrasound, if for some reason during the ultrasound, the doctors see anything questionable, I could be sent for my c section on the spot. Its kind of nerve racking to think I could potentially be having a c section everytime I go in, but so far, except for one day, Peyton passes these tests with flying colors and I am in and out in a hurry.
On top of two NST's a week, I have reached a point in the pregnancy where I have to see my OB once a week and because I am now on 3 insulin shots a day, I am seeing the endocrinologist every other week until Peyton comes. Factor that in with my orthodontist appointments and I am one busy Momma. I have to see everybody next week for a total of FIVE appts. Poor Alexis isn't going to have very much fun! :(
I have spent the last few weeks watching Peyton toss and turn in my belly. I can see little knees and legs and sometimes baby head as she moves around and tries to get comfortable in there. While this will be the last baby we will ever have, I'm not sad about that. Just trying to enjoy the cool parts, feeling the baby move or when she has the hiccups, or when she boots Mello and sends him flying off my belly. My all time favorite though, Alexis has discovered the belly at long last, and kisses my belly and says "Hi baby". I know she doesn't really "get" it but she's pretty darn close.
Thats all the news for now. Keep those cellphones handy and expect a call from Mommy or Daddy today!!!
1/14/10 This morning, Mommy added the donation box for March for Babies 2010. We have a team goal of 10,000.00 with our personal, family goal being 1000.00. Please help us reach our goal and help all babies to be born healthy!!
Love Peyton, Mommy and Daddy!!
1/12/10 Oy!! This belly is getting super heavy. I've been having a lot of contractions lately. I've been tested to see if its pre-term labor... it is not. I just need to go easier and drink a lot more water. Peyton still has 6-7 wks of cooking left.
Your pregnancy: 32 weeks
How your baby's growing:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (
pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.
See
what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what
fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be
shortness of breath and
heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have
lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of
preterm labor.
Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.
1/4/10 I'm relieved to say Peyton will be arriving this year. Hahaha! That feels alot better than saying, "She will be here NEXT year..." even if its still the same amount of time, it sounds like less.
Mommy and Peyton are doing just fine currently. Keeping up on all of our nine million appts with three different doctors, taking more medicines and supplements than I thought possible and keeping that pesky blood sugar under control.
This past weekend, Daddy and I got some work done in the nursery, which was nice because I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown just looking at the mess in there. The good news is we have a ton of clothes and don't need any of that. We mostly just need to decorate the room and make it pretty for when Peyton comes home. (Which I am super excited for!!)
Thats all for now, Love Mommy, Daddy, Peyton and Ladybug!!
12/26/09 The fetus and I spent a quiet day at home with big sisters Alexis and Ladybug and Daddy Abootstay. I spent the day nesting and obsessing about laundry (I got it all done except for Peytons stuff of course!!) and cleaning or trying to clean the rest of the house.
I have made some solid plans for the nursery and have recruited the most organized person I know (also the craftiest person I know, lol) to come and help. It should be done before the baby shower. (Grandma Baker if your reading this, CALL ME!)
Speaking of baby shower, it should be in the beginning of Feb. We are registered at Target under my name and daddy's name. We don't need much, but everything helps and gift cards are more than welcome. I need to compile a list of people to invite, so please email me and make sure that if you want to be included that you are.
The insulin and the diabetes is going as well as can be expected. Its tough, but it will be over in about 9 wks and for that I am thankful.
I am starting to get excited for my new princess to come and meet the other 1.5 princesses in the house. Then the party will be ready to start for real!!
Thats all the news for now!!
Love Mommy, Daddy and Peyton
12/5/09 Mommy is still incredibly bitter about being on insulin. This was a sudden and unexpected change from our previously diet controlled diabetes.
I got a call on Tuesday morning from the endocrinologists office. They said, "the doctor has decided to start you on insulin. You need to come in for an appt in two hours so that we can review your numbers and diet and educate you on your new insulin shots that you'll be giving yourself."
I said, "(*&*(%*$^$$%^^&**()(*&(&$&%$#%&*^Y" All the way to the doctors office.
I went in. We discussed several different medications, but the only medication that they had researched in pregnancy and knew for sure was safe was injectable insulin, so there ya have it.
I learned how to give myself a shot in the belly, which I have to do every morning when I wake up. 5 units of insulin isn't much, but its still a shot in the gut with a needle before I've had my morning coffee. Grrrr. My blood sugars have been running much better though. I had only one high reading, on the first day after over correcting a blood sugar of 48... (which is only a few points from a coma!)
I also saw the amazing Dr. Z and had routine lab work done... only to discover that I am suffering from severe anemia. That inspired a few more cusswords on my part. Now I get insulin, iron, pain medication for my back, neck and migraines and a feeling that if anything else can go wrong for us it will. Darn it!! Feb cannot come soon enough!!
The good news is, with the insulin, cheesecake and regular coke are back on the menu and that we are entering the 3rd trimester.
12/1/09 We take our first insulin shot tomorrow morning first thing. Mommy is pissed.
11/29/09 Today we enter the last week of the second trimester. Peyton's arrival is approaching so fast... I haven't even had time to get her room together yet. I better get it in gear or we'll be in BIG trouble.
Currently, I'm feeling fine, just tired. I'm nesting like crazy so I wear my self out doing all the laundry and keeping the house clean... and with Peyton's big sister running around undoing everything as I do it, its no easy job. (Thats her job though, because she's SO two!!)
Peyton is also doing her part by acting like a human octopus, stretching and kicking and hiccuping around all day and night. Daddy and I were fairly amused by her "tuck and roll" routine were you can see tiny knees and elbows poking out of my skin as she rolls herself over. Shes already being cute and shes not even here yet!
Here is this weeks development report:
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (
like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
See
what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your
leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.
It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about
family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a
tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)
11/26/09 Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love Peyton, Mommy, Daddy and Ladybug!!
11/7/09 For those of you who are interested, I have started Peytons baby registry!! Its at Target under my first name and my maiden name or Daddy's name... you can even go to target.com and pick stuff and have it shipped...
If you don't see anything you would like to get for us, feel free to get us a gift card for Target. That is equally as awesome. We don't need a lot for Miss Peyton because we still have almost everything of Alexis's, but the things we do need are big things (car seat w/ stroller and a crib being the biggest) The other stuff on the registry is either so Peyton will have her own blankets and some things brand new or so Mommy can pump and feed and store the 26 million gallons of breast milk that we will need in the first year.
So far, I am feeling well, Peyton is moving and groovin and making me fat and we are looking forward to getting through the next 16 wks without incident.
Here is this upcoming weeks development report:
Your pregnancy: 24 weeks
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (
picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
See
what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what
fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.
Most women have a
glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for
gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.
Finally, if you don't already know how to spot the
signs of preterm labor, now's the time to learn. Contact your caregiver immediately if you notice any of the signs mentioned below.
10/24/09 Well, little Miss Peyton certainly has been putting Mommy through it. From daily headaches and pinched nerves in my back to constant heartburn and exhaustion, this pregnancy is kicking my butt! I don't remember it being this bad with Alexis, but maybe thats because I was so busy at work, I just didn't notice.
We are in the process of trying to get a plan together for Peyton's arrival. With all this Swine flu scare stuff going around, the hospitals have changed policy and have said that children under the age of 18 will not be welcomed on the maternity ward. I hadn't decided yet if Alexis would be visiting in the hospital, and now it looks like its not my decision to make.
What we need is someone to stay home with Alexis while we are at the hospital. (Which is about 4-5 days provided I have no complications) That way Daddy can be free to come and go between home and the hospital as much as he needs to. Then, when we come home, we are going to need someone around for maybe a week to help with meals, Alexis and Mommy since I will be stuck upstairs for at least a week or two after we come home and Daddy will probably need some rest too.
The good news is that we will be able to plan Peyton's delivery date (as long as she doesn't decide to come early) so we should be able to plan every last detail. Please let us know if you are able to help.
10/7/09 Note to Peyton... What are you doing to mommy sweetheart... I can't stop eating jalpeno slices and corn chips... and I'm sure I am going to pay for that later.
10/5/09 Thats right!! I had my ultrasound appointment today, ITS A GIRL!! Peyton (because Mommy loves that name!) and Elizabeth (For Great Grandma Shoup, who isn't with us anymore) So, Peyton Elizabeth will be joining us on or around March 6th 2010. Hopefully sooner than later. =) Yay!!!
And yes, Peyton has all of her parts and is very healthy. The news is good all the way around.
9/28/09 Here we are at 18 wks 1 day!! 21 wks 6 days to go.... not that I'm counting or anything. Lol!! We go for an appt with the amazing Dr. Z on Thursday... and we have our 20 wk ultrasound on Monday morning. (The fourth) At this ultrasound they will make sure that Baby Shoup is growing normally and doesn't have any growth or development issues. We will also be getting an official verdict on the sex of Baby Shoup... Mommy is still holding out for a girl ;) When we went for this ultrasound with Alexis, we found out that she had a two vessel umbilical cord. (it should have three vessels) We are hoping that this is not an issue again, so please keep your fingers crossed that everything comes back super.
Here is this weeks development report. We should have new ultrasound pictures up after next monday. :)
How your baby's growing:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (
about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
See
what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.
Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little
dizzy.
From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.
If you haven't already had a second-trimester
ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!
9/19/09 We have a new ultrasound picture up of the baby!! This was taken on Sept 10th at a check up appt that I had scheduled because I fell down the stairs like a dork in our new place. We just wanted to make sure that everything was ok, which it was. Thankfully. The doctor tried to get a look at the sex and said he thought maybe MAYBE a boy, but couldn't get a clear enough shot to confirm it, so we are still waiting for the official ultrasound appt on the fifth of October to verify the sex. I am still holding out hope that Dr. Whiting was wrong and that its really a girl. ;) We shall see soon.
Comments
Looks like he is all fine and cozy in there!
- Granny Baker
you are such a dork, falling down the stairs.
- Kristin
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9/5/09 I was finally able to upload a copy of the ultrasound pic of the baby. Here it is... unfortunately, we lost the originals, so this is all we have. :( Enjoy!!
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