Fail, Pass, Fail..

I feel like I have fallen off the face of the earth. Sorry about that everyone. My body has been fighting off a cold and its kicking my butt. I am normally not a complainer and I will weather the storm but I went home early yesterday and slept for hours. That means I am sick sick. Bummer.

Well I can happily say that camping can be enjoyed 29 weeks pregnant. There were a few moments i.e. rolling of of the air mattress was difficult, traveling back and forth to the bathrooms a million times, and  the hills oh the hills. But for the most part the weather was nice and warm, it rained a little but not too bad. Everyone commented on what a trooper I was, I felt good about that but its one of the last times we will all be together before our little one arrived and I wanted that.

Last week I also went for my glucose screening and I got a call from the doctor yesterday. Bad news bears. I failed two of the three hours of my test. For those who don't know or have not experienced this super awesome test before, the take your blood, give you a drink that is really sugary and then test your blood every hour on the hour for three hours. I asked the doctor what my numbers were as 1. I am curious about my health 2. Although I may not be a doctor I feel I have a right to know. The doctor told me my fasting was at 91 which is perfect, before I got pregnant a while back I used a friends glucose screening kit because I wanted to know what it was and it was 97 so not much has changed on that end. She then went on to tell me that my one hour was 197, it was supposed to be under 180. FAIL. My second hour was 146, it is supposed to be below 155. Pass!!! And my third was 165, it is supposed to be under 140. FAIL.

So as I explained this to my husband and my mother this is whats going on in my body.

Pregnancy hormones can block insulin from doing its job. When this happens, glucose levels may increase in a pregnant woman's blood.

You are at greater risk for gestational diabetes if you:

• Are older than 25 when you are pregnant (I am 25)
• Have a family history of diabetes (Not that I know of)
• Gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or had a birth defect ( First pregnancy to term)
• Have sugar (glucose) in your urine when you see your doctor for a regular prenatal visit (did in the beginning, not since about 10 weeks)
• Have high blood pressure - (Have been in the normal range this whole pregnancy)
• Have too much amniotic fluid (Measured normal at my last Ultrasound)
• Have had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth (Have had two miscarriages in the first trimester)
• Were overweight before your pregnancy (My BMI classified me as overweight)
  
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001898/
  
  
  The doctor told me that because my fasting level was normal and the results from this test she believes that I can manage this by my diet. I had the diabetes clinic call me this morning to schedule an appointment for next Friday. At this point in the pregnancy, I will have to watch what I am eating for 10 weeks, while probably gaining some great knowledge about food. Positive spin on it! 
  
  
  For now I am going to blow my nose, eat some more Zycam and poke around on Pintrest.com, my new obsession.

Booger Factory!!!!

At 10 weeks 6 days a common cold is a nightmare! Not being able to do anything but shoot saline spray up my nose and rub Vicks Vapor Rub on my chest stinks!!!! (Well not that I can smell anything.) I am a booger factory!!! It's disgusting!!! Just hearing myself blow my nose, all those nasty, slimy boogers flying into the tissue kicks in my gag reflex. Ick! Today I'm nauseated on top of it so I'm just a mess. But I went to work so I could save my days for when I'm gonna need them most.

Enough about boogers.

Since I heard the heartbeat and got to see my lil one in the ultrasound last week we are finally telling extended family members and people at out jobs. I let my bosses know Monday and they are all saying prayers for us. I was a little apprehensive about telling administration about my pregnancy because we are undergoing budget cuts and performance evaluations like crazy. I didn't want my pregnancy to be used against me, to be said that because I was pregnant and won't be around for end of the year testing that I shouldn't be allowed to stay in the position that I'm in. But I figured since I am already popping out and having to leave early or show up late for appointments that I needed to divulge in my secret. So far they are supportive and understanding. I'm just hoping for no or little complications to keep everything running smooth and can ride this pregnancy all the way to April!!!

P.S. Thanks Jerseysaur! I'm having a great time reading your posts! Hope your test went well.

three hour glucose screening

So I have to go for my three hour glucose screening tomorrow morning. Boo. I did not pass the one hour, I am slightly nervous that I won't pass. I don't have any issues but it would just be my luck.

My ribs are still killing me and I am exiting the honeymoon stage. I think I had my first braxton hicks contraction this week. My belly got all tight and slightly uncomfortable while in the grocery store, of course I was in the baking isle near cake so I may or may not have have placed a box of brownies in my cart.... Sue me!

Other than that, things are going well. I got my shower invite in the mail from my mother. YEA! It was really adorable, thank you Tiny Prints. I am so in love with the fact that its my baby shower.  Mine. All Mine. Well and babies but I have been to so many others and this time its all for my baby!

This crazy almost 30 week pregnant lady is going camping this weekend so I am sure I will have some fun stories when I return. It is our annual Clam-O-Rama as we call it, pretty much its all the old college buddies meet up and act like we are in college again. Its fun for a weekend of no cares and camping. My main concern is the air mattress. Hm. We will see. My belly doesn't seem to have grown much this week, but I have not seen these people in a few months so I am sure they will all be surprised.

Any-who I have my test tomorrow, wish me luck. I will post the results as soon as I know. But for now its off to the wilderness and there are s'mores with my name all over it.

P.S. Congrats Hungrysaur! I am so thrilled for you, keeping your family in my thoughts.

We heard and saw the HEARTBEAT!!!!

Friday was my doctor appointment and through the ultrasound we got to see the baby, see it's little heart beating and they turned on the sound so we could hear it! YAYYYYY! Finally. This is the furthest I've gotten since I gave birth to my son (10 years ago) so we are sooooo ecstatic and optimistic. I saw my doctor's Nurse Practitioner and she thinks I may have a shortened cervix which will get checked out again in 4 weeks and I may be a candidate for weekly progesterone shots once I hit 14-15 weeks. If I end up with a weakened cervix I may need to have a cerclage done (a procedure where the cervix is sewn together with a surgical stitch). If it comes to that and with the progesterone shots I pray I will carry to term.

I have a cold. I can't think right now but I had to share my good news. We're just taking this pregnancy day by glorious day. Back pain, stuffy nose, head cold, going potty all the time, already fat belly, every day that I don't see any kind of spotting, is a GREAT DAY! They are all signs that Baby is doing well!!! Keep the faith ladies!!!

Reminiscing about the past

This weekend was great, Mr. Jerseysaur and I cuddled in bed and giggled every time baby girl kicked. We entered our third trimester, it is so surreal. The last time I remember laying there with him, saying nothing but smiling was when we found out we were pregnant (the first time). This made my mind go back to that place and I just wanted to share some thoughts I had a year ago, I was so broken.

How much strength do I really have?

So I have still been numb to this situation, not really having much thoughts or hopes about anything. We had another cycle and now we are in the middle of the third one since the miscarriage. My cycles still are not back on track, I am not ovulating at the right time. Its just annoying. Mr. had a really good fortune last night with our Chinese food, it said "When Love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece".

I started to get teary about that. I am emotional I want this badly.

I have been down in the dumps lately and having negative thoughts. I just want to be happy again.

...

I can sympathize with everyone reading this blog and the struggles you have had or are having. I just wish to impress upon you that YOU are important and your relationships with the ones you love will strengthen you.

Look outside yourself to find others to help you, scream, rant and rave. For me I would lay on the horn of my car and scream, it worked. Let it out if you need to. There is a secret network of fantastic women who have been there and are so willing to hold your hand.

The daycare situation

Along with all this wonderful baby stuff I have to think about what we are doing with our baby once she gets here. Boo. For my family we need to have two incomes, which means this mama has to go back to work. Maternity leave is 6 weeks for normal deliveries or 8 weeks if it is a C-section. That means that I am going to leave my 6 week old with someone. That notion breaks my heart a little, I love that I have her all day with me and I am reminded with every wiggle and kick.

I have been putting this process off because I just don't want to do it. As the days click by and the Mr. asks where I stand on it I have to get going on it. (The Mr and I split large responsibilities, he is researching car seats and strollers and I get sitter duty.) So I have started to put my feelers out there, I am looking for a Stay At Home Mom who has a younger child and willing to take a newborn. I believe that my work will allow for some flexibility in my schedule so I can work from home two days a week.

This part is the pits. My heart hurts a little already and I haven't even given birth yet. The worst part is I am really looking for a stranger to raise my baby. My family lives out of state and my in-laws who are close all still work. I just hope that I can develop trust with this person right away, I need trust.

I will keep you posted on where we go from here. 

Monday Monday

Another week is here, another pain is present. I don't know that anyone can explain all of the crazy beautiful things happening to your body, experiencing it is so different.

Sleep is becoming more difficult. I feel like I need the 'wide load' sign because I have to sit up to turn over every time I want to switch positions. I also must drag my body pillow along for the ride, at that point I am more awake and trying to find a comfortable spot.

My newest friend is a pain in the ribs. Hmm, yes in the ribs. It started on my left side and today it is full force on both. I know it must be my belly stretching and making room but ouch!  I try to lean back in my office chair as much as possible to alleviate the natural forces of gravity.

It is hard for me to imagine my belly not being there. I so much enjoy feeling her move and kick, it is a constant reminder that she is doing ok. My fears and anxiety has decreased some now that I can feel her. We are 27 weeks as of yesterday, it is shocking to me that we have 13 weeks give or take and less than 100 days. There are so many things running thru my tired brain... daycare, nursery, traveling, cleaning. Its tough to keep it all straight when I feel so drained like I do today.

Maybe I worked it a little too hard this weekend. Maybe baby is just taking what she needs. Who knows.

And the winner of the Pre~Seed giveaway is...

Random.org gave us the winning numbers for our Pre~Seed giveaway...

Lucky number 1 was...

Congratulations Alex and Michelle! Send an email with your full name and address to pregosaur@gmail.com and we'll get your goodies in the mail to you ASAP.

Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway! 


Note to our winner: please contact us within 7 days. If we don't hear from you, we will re-draw the prize. Thank you!

Pregnancy, you're mean...

It is about 5-am on the East Coast on a Saturday and I am wide awake.

Fifteen minutes ago I got to experience my second leg cramp of the pregnancy. It is unlike any charlie-horse I have ever had. Maybe it was because I was sleeping on my right side and my leg was low on blood or lack of water as we ate hibachi tonight. I did have about 40 ounces today which I know is not as much as I need but I was drinking water.

Whatever the case may be these cramps are horrendous. As I write this my leg is still throbbing. Its the same spot as last time too but much worse. My left calf tenses up so tight I want to cut it off. The first time this happened was a Friday night as well and it was bad but not wake up Mr. Jerseysaur bad. This time I cried, literal tears and hit him hard to wake up immediately and help. Not that there is much he can do but rub it, rub me, just be awake and see-how-much-pain-I-am-in kinda helps.

This muscle has a mind of its own. It was so tight, I am squirming around the bed trying to straighten it but it was rock solid. At least having the Mr. awake, he could feel how hard it was and I was not purposefully making it be like that. It reminds me slightly of when your older sibling or relative bully would make you say "uncle". I think I would prefer that game because I was screaming "uncle" from the second it started.

OH geez, it still is sore but the tightness is gone. I guess I will go sleep on my right side, drink more water, walk around. All in the hopes this monster does not return. Pregnancy your mean.

The Queen of England is Coming - Start Nesting!

Labor day weekend was more of a nesting weekend for this lady. The Mr. laughs at me but I can't help it. I get so anxious and have to get things done. Things I have never really cared about in the two years we have been at this house. I am vacuuming and re-vacumming, organizing and generally freaking out. Its amazing because I can't control it. I feel like my to-do list is a mile long. I do have to say that Mr. Jerseysaur  has been a great sport and I know he is putting up with a crazied hormonal woman. Yesterday we went to Walmart and Target and bought 10 frames to hang up in the hallway. Why... WHO KNOWS. Its something I have wanted to get done but it was never a priority, although yesterday it jumped to the top of the priority list and I could not stop until it was done.

I also started organizing our boxes from high school and making sure that the containers are water proof to put in the basement, the basement that I have to clean so I borrowed my father in laws shop vac to do that with. I am crazy.

With all this new found dirt I realize that I just don't have the energy to do it all. My growing belly really makes it difficult to bend over and be agile. I reminisce about the days when she was not living in there. We have less than 100 days until our due date now, I don't know if that's enough time to clean everything!

I feel like a 90 year old

I now have a 7-day pill box.
Never thought I'd need one of these until much later in my life but now I have one!
Why?

Well, because I have so many vitamins I need to to take each day and at the end of the day I can't ever remember if I actually took them or not. So, I figured this would help me out and it has! I'm actually loving it!

So what vitamins am I taking?

• Prenatal
• Vitamin D
  
• B12
• DHA
  
• (You can get prenatal w/DHA- but I like the prenatal I use so I don't want to switch)
• And 2 tums a day for calcium

So that is why I now feel like a 90 year old.

Facelift

As you may have noticed, we've given Pregosaur a new look!

Our goals were to make the blog cleaner, fresher, and easier to navigate, and we think we've achieved all of those things...but what do YOU think? Love it? Hate it? Poke around and let us know!

Losing Sleep

I am not a sound sleeper as it is and now with the thoughts of our baby fate in my head sleep is even harder to come by.

We have to make a choice. We have to decide what method is going to be our next step. Do we choose IUI? Do we choose egg freezing? Do we choose IVF? How do you know what is good for you emotionally, physically and financially? Well, with a lot of thought and research and discussion.

I have endometriosis and listed above are the choices given to us by our RE. Our fabulous RE. I am so grateful to be working with such a confident, knowledgeable, kind person.

We are giving ourselves a couple of months to come to a decision before moving forward. This is grand yet difficult all at the same time.

Giveaway - TTC help with Pre~Seed!

I think it's time for another giveaway...don't you?!

The Prize
Our 'saurs are big fans of using Pre~Seed to give the TTC process a little help, and the awesome Pre~Seed company have generously given us a personal lubricant kit to pass on to one lucky winner!

The Goodies
One carton of Pre~Seed. (If you haven't heard of Pre~Seed before, click here to read all about the benefits!)

How to Enter
Tell us in the comments below how long you've been reading Pregosaur! Just started? A few months? Since the beginning of time? Let us know! 

The Rules

• only ONE entry per person, please
• the giveaway will end Sunday, September 11 at midnight (Pacific Time)
• the giveaway is open to USA residents only

The winner will be randomly selected and announced in a new post the next day - so make sure you check back in!

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS ALL FOR ENTERING!

Pregnancy is so Un-Sexy...

I love seeing the beautiful woman who have amazing bodies and look so adorable pregnant. They just look so cute! There are days in which I marvel at my growing belly and think that I look Oh So Cute, but then there are days like today.

Days that make pregnancy seem so un-sexy.It all started Tuesday when I was training a new hire at work, when I get up and it feels like I wet myself. I know exactly what it is and I am in disbelief because I am already wearing a panty liner. How can I have so much discharge that it leaks thru my liner onto my pants and in so much abundance that my pants are wet. I waddled myself into the bathroom to check out the situation, it looked like I took a cup of water and poured it on the inside of my pants. No one would notice but still, for real!

I got home from work late, Mr. Jerseysaur started dinner as I asked and I did a few chores. We ate, I finished the chores and sat down for the evening. Heading to bed my nose is stuffy and I keep trying to blow it, but no relief. I slather on the vicks and start snoring away. Until the baby started kicking and waking me up, I have to sit up turn myself over readjust the body pillow and blankets and try to nod back off.

Then I get up this morning and have a full blown Freddy Kruger nose bleed. It just would not stop. It was a pleasant sight, let me tell you.

Well I cleaned myself up and threw on a comfy maternity dress, walk into work and I get the "You look so cute Momma" comment a hundred times.

Thanks, because if you saw me two hours ago you would run for the hills! Haha.

As we all know when creating life your body does the strangest things, I actually had a scary symptom while driving home from work this week. I lost vision in my left eye. I held it closed and continued driving home. It lasted a short while and when I told the Mr. he was quite concerned. Luckily I had another 4 week checkup the next morning and told the doctor what happened. She told me to see a specialist sooner than later as this can be something more serious, i.e. signs of stroke, preeclampsia etc. I called the eye specialist and they saw me this morning bright and early, they ran a few tests, dialiated my eye and saw nothing wrong. The diagnosis for now, an optical migraine. If it happens again we will look further into it but for now I am ok.

I read the book by Jenny McCarthy "Belly Laughs" a few weeks ago on a plane ride home and it was so down to earth, so honest about the un-pleasantries of pregnancy. Its true, it is beyond wonderful and amazing but when you can't get to that one point to shave for weeks and you finally get a glimpse of the braid-able patch on the back of your leg, you can't help but laugh.