28 weeks...Third trimester!

What a bittersweet day. I woke up after a pretty good evening of sleep (considering my norm) as I had been actually sleeping in my bed since about 3 am. I laid in bed talking to Baby Olive and thanking her for hanging in there. Telling her I couldn't believe we had hit this major milestone of the  3rd trimester.

(Love that she is kicking and flipping as I type this post)

After my weekly belly photo and breakfast, I spoke to my mom to see how she was feeling since she had norovirus all last week. She was sad and weepy. My grandma, Charlie, who had been struggling all week to fight off some infection was not doing well. Not eating. Not drinking. Sleeping a lot. At 99, these were not good signs. The family had some tough decisions to make. It made me sad to think that I was supposed to be celebrating my 3rd trimester with her today. We changed plans as my mom was sick.

The thought of my grandmother not being around is devastating let alone not meeting my sweet baby. She was SO excited that I was pregnant (not once asking about how or who the father was). It didn't really matter to her. Before she moved to Philly in January, we would sit around her apartment and think of baby names. She loved Katie (apparently there is some old song about "Katie"). She loved her nickname was Olive (as this was the name of her one of her CNAs)

My hope is that Baby Olive does get to meet such an amazing woman. I hope that she has her spirit. Her love for family and neighbors. Her positive outlook on life which is what I think has gotten her to 99. Her ability to bake. Her love for angels.

So for now, I can only attempt to continue to have hope that this amazing matriarch will continue to fight. Will continue to get better and make it way past May. To not only hold my sweet baby but to pass on that amazing spirit.

My heart is full of love for Baby Olive and full of sadness for what may come to be. Is there even enough room for both?? I tried to do some happy things today. I didn't want baby Olive to feel my sadness or my tears.

12 weeks. 12 weeks still to find a new place, rent mine and move. Lots to do and hopefully distract me. At my last appt at 27 weeks, she was doing well. Cervix was closed. My blood work looked great and I tested negative for gestational diabetes. I go back on March 6th and hopefully will have a consult with the midwife group to determine feasibility of vaginal delivery. She will get weighed again at this appt.

For now, I enjoy the flips, flops and turns that I feel while counting kick counts daily.

Love you Charlie. Love you Baby Olive.

24-26 weeks

I have been a slacker these days...sorry!!! I finally hit the 6 month mark and definitely am feeling the difference.

Have been struggling with muscular rib pain over the past 2 weeks. At first I thought it was indigestion. Ehhh. Wrong. After being put on meds with slight relief and realizing the pain occurs almost always when I lay down or at the end of the day, it's switched to muscular. My acupuncturist, the fabulous Cricket felt that it could be congestion in the muscles that join the ribs. This area is part of the conception vessel in our bodies so it sorta makes sense. Cricket also offered to loan me her recliner. A true blessing.

After a wonderful (but sore ) treatment from acupuncture last week, I slept. The first time in several days. Everytime I would lay down on my sides I would (and continue to have) sharp pains that run across my rib cage and in the middle of where my ribs meet. Ever been asleep and have a sharp pain hit ya? NOT FUN. So sleeping is not restful. The only relief is laying on my back on an incline. Not the best sleeping mode. The treatment was short lived and the pain reoccurs each evening. My OB and I have both agreed its my organs pushing north plus the muscles in my chest/upper abdomen stretching. Ouch. Sadly there isn't much to do in terms of relief.

I got my recliner this past weekend and have been sleeping in it several hours a night. While its comfortable to watch tv in (I get why it's an important piece of the man caves), it's not the best for sleeping. Better than my bed these days. All worth it in the end but makes functioning a challenge.

Tired of people telling me it will prepare me for having a newborn. Definitely feeling the hormonal crabbiness if you couldn't tell!?

On a good note, Olive has been kicking up a storm and has grown to almost 2 lbs at 1lb and 11ozs at my last appt at 25 weeks. My appts are still every 2 weeks but my OB feels my cervix has behaved and doesn't feel like we need to monitor.
I was able to get a great photo of her last week!! Really can't wait to see her in person. 14 weeks and counting :)

I have my one hour gestational diabetes test tomorrow ...I figured might as well eat some waffles and syrup just in case I have GD!! :) might add an oreo in there tonight. It's been a long month at work!!

Until we chat again. I will try to be better about weekly updates :)