December time

Our First snow of the year in Des Moines on December 3, 2010.


What our streets looked like on 12/3/10.

Snowy Bird House Christmas Decoration.

Our Christmas Tree.

Well I finally got into a little bit of Christmas spirit. I put on some Christmas tunes, and decided to get the tree up this weekend, or it may not have made it up this year. We got a dusting of snow on December 3, 2010, but it didn't last long at all! Not that I'm in any hurry to get some white stuff.

35 Week Ultrasound Pictures

35 Week Baby Bump

November

Baby Shower in Wall Lake, Iowa

Crib is all ready, now we just need a baby to put in it.

Baby Benson's library

Finished Closet

November has been pretty busy for us. Kurt and I have started going to prenatal classes to learn about labor and delivery, and also working on the baby room. Last weekend we attended Jingle Cross, which was the last bike race of the season, unfortunately Kurt didn't get to race because he caught a stomach bug. The weekend of the 20th I went home for my baby shower that my sister-in-laws threw for me. I had a great time, and Baby Benson got a lot of great things! It was also great to catch up and see family. On December 1st we have one of our weekly profiles and non stress tests, and next week on the 9th we'll have another growth ultrasound. I have my diaper bag ready, and I'm almost done packing for the hospital. Baby Benson's room is getty fairly close to being done. We have to do a little trim painting and patching, and then clean the floor and put down our area rug, then all we need to do is wait for his arrival!

34 Weeks!

If you look closely, it looks like he is smiling.

I had another weekly appointment today. We first had a biophysical profile done, and Baby Benson passed within 8 minutes, and that's where we got the pictures. His heartrate was 131, so he must have been resting. During the nonstress test, he wasn't as cooperative. His heartrate was good, but he wasn't doing the accelerations that my doctor wanted, so she had to "buzz" my belly to wake him up, which seemed to work. After the test was done, my doctor took my blood pressure which was 124/80, and my weight, and I only gained a couple more pounds. I think I'm up to 20 pounds total. I have another biophysical profile and nonstress test scheduled week, then on December 9th, we have another growth ultrasound. By then I will be 36 weeks. At that appointment I will meet with one of the perinatologists, to discuss the baby's growth, and he will guide us to what we need to do. If that baby is larger than normal, we may have to discuss our options of inducing anywhere from 38-39 weeks. If the doctor feels like everything is on schedule, he'll just let me go until my due date and let me go into labor on my own. Can't wait!!!!

33 Weeks

I am now going weekly to my doctor to keep track of Baby Benson. I asked my OB why I have to go weekly so soon, and she said due to my diabetes and of course my age w/ my first child. Today Baby Benson had to do his little tests of breathing, sucking, and 4 movements, and he passed much faster this week than last. He was much more active this week for the non-stress test, so it didn't take as long. I have the same kind of appointment next week, and my doctor will also check my blood pressure and weight.

Kurt and I started our baby classes last week. We are taking them through Mercy Medical Center. Our first class was a Baby Basics class where we learned how to bathe, swaddle, calm the baby. It also taught us how to look for illnesses and how to reduce SIDS. Then on Sunday the 14th we started our Prenatal/birthing class. It was the first out of 4 classes. The teacher went over the stages of pregnancy, and touched on a bit of labor. We also learned one of the massage techniques to use. I'm looking forward to the next class to learn more!

32 Weeks

Profile #1

Profile #2

Baby's Face

Kurt and I had our 32 week baby appointment on November 10, 2010. We had an ultrasound, a biophysical profile (BPP), and a non-stress test. The ultrasound went super good. Baby Benson was very active during the majority of it. His heartbeat was 138 and he weighs 4 pounds 3 ounces. He is also in the head-down position. During the biophysical profile they look for 2 small movements, 2 large movements, sucking, and practice breaths, and he can score up to 8 points. Baby Benson did well all up until the breathing point. He decided to be stubborn, and I had to lay in different positions to finally get him to do it, but he did end up scoring 8 out of 8 points.

During the non stress test, they hooked up a couple of monitors to my belly and I got to sit there and watch TV. Baby Benson thought he'd be cute and take a nap. My doctor came in later, and put this buzzing thing on my belly to wake him up. I guess the baby didn't like that because he decided to move like crazy. Again she left us for some time, and came back, and was much happier with the results.

My sugar levels are doing much better, and my doctor is very happy with them. Also, my blood pressure has been normal. It was 110/80 today.

I am now going every week, so I'm scheduled for ultrasounds and non-stress tests on the 16th and the 23rd.