Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

All year needs to be a time of thinking about what you have, appreciating who is around you and what you have accomplished. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to have a healthy growing handsome boy in my belly!!!  I could not ask for anything more :-)  Hard to believe next Thanksgiving he will be 8 months old!

John and I are heading to my Mom's for dinner!  John is currently making corn bread ... and I need to straighten my hair and figure out what the heck I am going to wear!  Lately, nothing really is fitting....so maternity shopping is a must again :-)

Wishing everyone and my baby boy a healthy day and healthy year!

Love,
Erin

Kicking and Rolling at 3am!

Dear handsome,

Mommy loves you and was anxiously waiting for you to kick/roll and move around like a acrobat.....thank you for letting me know you are in there! But, can we work on the time? 3:30am was way to early! haha....it's okay though, your just prepping Mommy for what is to come!! So, bring it on because I need to get use to it!

Love you and keep moving!!

Blood type, good news and a little extra

So, yesterday I went to have my glucose test done at U of M, on top of doing that, I had to do all my prenatal blood work as well.....so I was eager to hear the results back from the nurse. Surprisenly, I was very nervous about getting the results back from the glucose tolerance test. I really did not want gestational diabetes....but I stay positive and whatever comes my way....comes my way.

I talked to the nurse today and she said everything looked great, my sugar blood level was 127 which she said was good. She also told me my blood type is O +  which I never knew!

However, she said my Iron was low and I need to get on a iron supplement, so I will start those tomorrow. I am happy though I do not have gestational diabetes.  :-)

Little handsome is beginning to show me he is moving in there! The other day, I felt something stronger then gas.....and has kicking for a few minutes! I could not believe it, even though it was not that long, I will always remember the first Kick he game me :-)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and I am sure little handsome will enjoy the big feast!!

Love,
Erin

24-25 week belly

Here is a picture of my belly at 24-25 weeks!  What a difference from 1 month ago! Little handsome is doing what he should....grow :-)  Also....of the crib!  I made the blankets and hope he likes them too!

xoxo
Erin

Flutters and Tickling

Sorry for the delay of not writing for a while.....but I have been so busy and also sleepy....so finally I am back on board :-)

2 days ago (November 10th) I started to feel him in my belly, I have been waiting and waiting for him to tell me "he is in there" haha. But, it's more like a tickle about 3 inches above my belly button. I thought it was just indigestion at first but it kept happening in the same spot even after hours of eating.  He moves a lot I think after I eat though because those flutters/tickles really take over after I swallow my first bit of food at each meal. We have a kid with a big appetite on our hands I think :-)

Next week I have to drink that Glucose orange drink then head to the blood bank to check and see if I have Gestational Diabiets which I really hope I do not....but I will take whatever comes my way.

Other then that, I am still enjoying prenatal yoga, class has gotten a little smaller because of their close due dates, so sad to see them leave but for a happy reason. No cravings still.....will I ever have one?

Drinking water seems to be my only struggle. I carry a 70oz water bottle with me every day and remind myself the importance of drinking it all + some.  I have never been a big drinker....so this is something I am getting use to.

I found a few stretch marks on my lower abdomen/side the other day ... I thought i was not going to get any due to the fact my Mom never had them and I was 23 weeks into this with nothing.....I do lather up all the time with Palmers Belly Cream.....but does that stuff really work? I think it's just a mind game....but you never know. I still do it anyway :-) Makes me feel better!

My Mom and I are discussing when we will have the baby shower which is something I am looking forward too. Exciting to be able to see my family who I never get to see ....and they can see my growing belly too.

November 27th my Mom is coming to Ann Arbor and we are going to begin my Registry, so a fun girl day indeed!  I'm thinking of Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us?  Do I really need to register at 2 stores if they are basically the exact same?


John and I have come up with 2 names so far which we really like......we hope to come up with 1 more  so we have a few options when we see our handsome baby in just a little over 15 weeks!


More later!!!

Love,
Erin and Baby

Got to see him in 3D!!

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday was our last U of M ultrasounds seeing our little handsome! She could not get a good profile picture of him so she wanted to turn on the 3d...and I said "sure!" He is still nestled down low and loves this one spot we always find him in....but with a little cheering and poking him...he did turn to show us his face!!! And, what a beautiful and handsome face he has!  I swear he looks like John.....with the sharp jaw line and wider face, I think he will look like his Daddy....but that is just me. I have more of a longer face ..but we will see because he still needs to get a lot chubbier :-)

I am doing great so far....a little back pain but nothing to complain about.  No cravings yet, so at this point I don't think I will have anyway..but you never know. I really want 1...just to say I had one and curious as to what it would be!  Oh well, time will tell.

I still do not feel him yet. They said because he is still hanging out lower and my placenta is nice and thick..it will be hard to feel any movement until he gets stronger, which they say give him another month. Docs say he is moving around in there...but I just cannot feel him yet.

Here are some pics of my 3d ultrasound below. Some find it easy to see....some find it hard...so let me know and I can always explain as to what your looking at :-)

No names yet either....but when we do have one...it's hush hush till the big day arrives! So, you will just have to wait :-) hehe

Love you all!

Small bump in the road

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday was somewhat of a long day.....

I noticed some vaginal discharged about 2 1/2 days ago and noticed it getting worse....so I called the nurse at U of M yesterday and gave her a very thorough explanation of what my symptoms are. She said since I said "watery discharge" that flagged some concerns.....the worst she said could be amnoitic fluid leaking...or could be a infection which then I could get on medicine.

So, I had to hang out at the Birthing Center Traige last night at the hospital. They did a full pelvic exam and checked him......she said he is doing great....my cervix was hard and firm....and there was no amnoitic fluid....she took some samples and it ended up being BV (Bacterial vaginouses) sp??   So, I am on 20 day pills 2x day (Flagl)

I already feel better this morning "down there" which is great.

She also said I am very dyhyrated.....so I need to up my water intake by a lot....which is wierd to me because I drink a lot of water anyway...she said NO....you need to drink more. So, that is what I will do :-)

Overall.....we are both doing great!  Just a little bump in the road...and I am glad I did not ignore it.....

Have a great day!

Erin

We are having a son !!

October 8th, 2010 we found out we were having a baby boy!!!  I am so excited to have a boy....I always wanted a boy first...even though I think people thought I wanted a girl. Nope, a boy is a dream come true!!

It was a great day, my Mom, twin brother Tony came to Ann Arbor to be there for the ultrasound with John and I.  It was great for them to see our little handsome and experience this with us.

The lady started by asking me if I wanted to know the sex and I said "Yes!! But I need some warning before you tell me because I am nervous" and she said "No problem" :-)  However, when she began the ultrasound....she put the jelly right over his genitals because I swore I saw his penis like 1 minute into the appointment!!! haha .  I did not say anything ....so the appointment went on and she explained all the babies parts to us (but...gosh they are hard to make out....I mean... how can she make out the kidneys that look like a black shadow?). About 30 min into the appointment she said "Okay, I know what it is now" and I looked at her and said "I think I already know what it is.....it's a boy isn't it?"  and she said "YES!!"   I knew what I saw was correct :-) I mean, it really was not that hard.....his penis was easy to see (look at the pic below!)

However, little handsome was sleeping head down the whole entire time....there was a point where she made us walk around for 5-10 min to see if he would wake up. No such luck.....so John and I have to go back on the 27th at 8am to get another ultrasound .... they need to get his Profile and heart .

I'm thinking I want them to put on the 3-d ultrasound....I just hope he is not sound asleep and nestled head down in his favorite spot!  Not to mention.....layiing head down on my bladder, good golly!  :-)

So, I will keep you updated on the 27th ultrasound and more pictures will follow.

Oh.....she said he is measuring 5 days earlier then I thought.....so I am really 20 weeks tomorrow?  5 months already?? Wow!!  

Little handsome is 97% percentile for his weight and height.....weighing in at 11oz at the October 8th appointment. We got a chucker on our hands :-)  Must take after John's 9 pounds 12 oz! haha

Now, it's name choosing!  Why does it get me anxious? It's a big decision and it is very hard to pick boys names, but we might have a few up our sleeves.

I would like to keep the name a secret...but that might not last very long :-) haha

Till next time!

Erin and baby boy xoxo

4 more days ...I can hardly wait

Hi Everyone!!

Sorry it has been a while since I last updated...but not much has been really happening baby wise....my tummy is getting a little bigger, I finally am wearing my cute maternity jeans and I lay in bed every morning and every night holding my belly hoping I can feel little one move....but no such luck yet.  I am 18 weeks 2 days today....when do you start feeling those "flutters" I  keep reading and hearing about?

However, I am super excited about this Friday (Oct 8th at 3pm) we find out the babies gender!!!!! I am so excited that I can hardly think of anything else! Is that bad?  haha.  I am also really happy that my Mom and twin Tony are driving to Ann Arbor not only to celebrate my Mom's birthday last week....but to come to the ultrasound with John and I :-)  I mean...how cool is that!!!  I know my brother will not be in the room when I deliver....so this is the next best thing :-)

The last time I saw baby was at 11 weeks....so I am really interested in seeing the growth and length of the baby in just a short 7 1/2 weeks....but a lot as changed.

As for my body....not much is really happening. My belly is bulging out a little more, my headaches are going away, I can finally sleep for 8 hours without peeing that much in the middle of the night and no more nose bleeds! Yay!   However, when there is good.....there also comes changes.  My hips are starting to get very sore, is this normal? I think it is. I normally have pain in my left hip anyway when I lay flat.....but it's tranfored to my right hip.......but I am sure it's just my bodies was of saying "look out...I need room for baby" :-)  Which is fine with me!

I do need to go buy some maternity clothes though. I really like wearing those long maternity tank tops from Target....they are very comfy!

Okay, gotta get ready for work.......

Next post will be on Friday or Saturday.....saying GIRL or.... BOY !!!!!!!!!!!  OMG!!!!


Love you all,
Erin, John, Bella and baby Mich :-)  (what a great family indeed!)

Prenatal Yoga

Hi!

Last night was my 1st time doing prenatal yoga and I really enjoyed it!  I think it's important for me to get stretching, learning how to calm my body and to set myself in a surrounding with other expecting mothers. I did not know what to expect...but came home meeting 7 new people, learned new positions to help me sleep and use during the day and just to relax.  It's every Wednesday night from 7-815pm, so I plan on going as long as I can and can afford.

I also have been making a list of questions I want to ask the doctor ... like:  Birth plan, classes at hospital to sign up for, pediatrician information, traveling while pregnant, ect.  Good thing for that pad of paper in my car, because that is when I do all my question thinking! :-)

Feeling pretty good lately. Today, I was a little stressed out and I can tell it affects the baby because my stomach is upset tonight....so I plan on relaxing, practicing my yoga stretches and taking it easy.  Other than that, not much else to report....except my belly had a growth spurt this week.... I am just waiting to feel the baby for the 1st time (they say between 18-20 weeks....), so hopefully in the next week or so!

Just a question.......do people actually read my blog???

I enjoy keeping a blog because not only is it a chance to be able to reflect on day to day experiences but it's also very soothing. I just hope others find it helpful to keep track of my 9 month journey.

Okay, off to lay on the couch for a bit....

Love,
Erin & Baby

4 months already!

Hi Everyone!

Another round of pictures (2 weeks from last)....not much has changed from belly...a little bigger...but I have noticed those darn stretch marks on my side! Oh well....nothing I can do but boy are they ugly :-)

I still have been feeling really great! So far in this pregnancy it has gone like clock work....and I am really lucky to have been feeling as great as I do.

The only event that has happened is a bloody nose when I woke up a week ago. John stopped it quickly....but that was a surprise to me. Have not had anymore since.

4 months have flown by! No cravings ..just making sure I get enough milk in eating well. Maybe I have had a little too much bread items.....oh well. :-)

Okay, next blog will be the sex announcement! (Let's hope!)

Enjoy the belly pics.....(minus those silly stretch marks!)

Love,

Erin

Tests Results in

Hi!

Today I had my 4th doctors visit ( I am 15 weeks 4 days today)..... baby is doing good and growing!  The doctor showed me our 1st trimester screening results and it all came back negative which is great news!  Baby as 1/10,000 chances of Downs Syndrome and other genetic disorders....so we are good! Whew :-)

I also went to the mall and bought my 1st pair of maternity jeans!! They fit great and I am so excited to have a pair of jeans I can fit into and that are cute/stylish too.

We are just really counting down the days here for the big ultrasound! 3 weeks......  anybody want to take dibs on if it's a boy or a girl??

Next blog.....it will either day BOY or GIRL !!!! AHHH!!! :-)

Till next time.......

Baby Bump at 14 weeks along

It's been a few weeks since I have sent out anything because there was really nothing to post. Everything has been going great. These last few weeks...I have noticed my belly starting to grow :-)  So, tonight I thought would be good to start taking pics of Baby Mich's growth!

At 14 weeks I think I have a cute little bump.....but enough to make my jeans very snug or not fitting. So, maternity pants are going to be a must here in a few weeks.

Next doc appointment is next Thursday....no ultrasound...just checking in and measuring belly!

I am really looking forward to October 8th.. in which we hope to find out the sex!

Oh Indigestion....how we don't get along!

     So indigestion has been in full force! Only happens at night and at least it does not last for long....but man oh man....I have never had that feeling ever!  I find if I drink some milk or eat some Tums....it settles.  If this is all I have.....then I'm doing pretty darn good :-)

    I can feel my belly get a little bigger...but nothing too much right now!  I am looking forward to when I "pop" as they say!

   Not much other then that.....just looking forward to our Oct 8th appointment which we will find out the sex and then start planning and start looking around at clothes! :-)

   Till next time....

Heard the heartbeat!!

Hello!

Today, August 20th at 3:10pm, I had my First Trimester Screening at the Perinatal Assessment Center at U of M.  Before they could start the ultrasound, they wanted my bladder to be very full, so I had to gulp down 32 oz of water! Whew! I did it!   Ron (the perinatal nurse) called me in and explained the whole appointment. He checked for the amount of fluid in back of the babies neck... (which he said looked great) and then I had to head to the blood bank to give some blood samples....results should come back in 1 week they said!

But, the exciting part of the appointment was (besides knowing the fluid is right where it should be) seeing the baby and how much it has grown in just 9 short weeks!

I got to hear the babies heart beat!!!! Okay, I cried.....but come on! :-)  He/She has a heart beat of 152bpm! And, measured in at 51.2cm long....and 11 weeks 6 days old :-)

The next biggy....is October 8th at 3pm to find out the sex!!!

Cannot believe I am almost 3 months in....sure has gone by fast....but I am loving every second of pregnancy so far :-)


Oh...and I think baby has John's nose :-)

xoxo
Erin

Almost 2nd Trimester!

Where did the 10 1/2 weeks go?!  :-)  Baby is doing great so far this week....I am in my 11th week which means on Sunday I will begin my 2nd Trimester!  Baby is the size of a fig this week! Funny how websites do fruit/vegetable comparisons to babies size, but I guess it's a great visual for people :-) 


This week....I am experiencing some stomach upsetting (more like a really sour feeling/tight feeling) but it only happens at night time. But, it's all part of the process I guess :-) 


I've been drinking lots of water, eating salads topped with veggies and having steal cut oats for breakfast with cinnamon - so I'm watching my choices of food.... I actually have no desire to drink diet pop anymore....so unusual for me because I would always love to have a diet coke for lunch. However, I do enjoy my desserts....so gotta watch that! 


We also are in the process of moving apartments (right down the street) but still....it's annoying. John is being so fantastic! He is doing all the lifting and my job is to load up the boxes....hold the door....and organize!  I do have the best hubby in the world!! And, soon to be best Dad too!! 


This Friday (20th), I will have my 1st Trimester Screening at Mott's Children's Hospital. We are lucky to have great insurance that covers 100% of this (it does run over $1,000). During this appointment, they will do a ultrasound to see the thickness of fluid in the babies neck...this checks for Downs Syndrome & some blood work done for any other genetic disorders. Let's hope for all Negative results....but we will have open arms to anything that comes our way. 


That is all for now!  Will post after Friday's tests. 


xoxo 
Erin 

1st Ultrasound!

Hi Everyone!!  Today was my 1st ultrasound at U of M. Everything went fantastic (as from the picture above!)  John and I got to see our little joy and had pictures printed! How amazing can this be?  I feel very lucky to have had a smooth pregnancy so far.... and a healthy baby at 10 weeks.  During the ultrasound you could see the beating heart and blood rushing through his/her body!  We got to meet the nurse practictioner (Barbara Getty) who was just so sweet and made me feel completely comfortable. We also met with the nurse (Karen), who gave us a book and lots of information for us to go through. She was great about answering our questions....and had lots of information to share with us.  

John and I did end our visit with a romantic dinner at the U of M cafeteria for dinner :-) hehe. Must be our thing now....but this is twice now!  I got veggie nachos and John ordered veggie soup with a roll! Yum! 

It is so fun getting to share my new experience today with family and friends by phone and email! The conversations I have had with people are ones I will never forget....thanks for being so supportive and interested in babies growth.  

Love you all. 

First 9 weeks

Welcome to our baby blog!  


I am happy to report that my first 9 weeks of pregnancy has been pretty smooth!  Little one has decided not to give me any morning sickness :-)  I do have to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom....but I'll take that over getting sick to my stomach! Some other changes I am experiencing are feeling bloated and my breast feeling swollen....but overall not bad so far! 


We have all our appointments at U of M, which we are very fortunate to have such great care for our little one. Tomorrow (August 11th,2010) I have my ultrasound appointment at U of M, I will be 9 weeks 5 days. We are looking forward to the appointment but hoping our little one is healthy and has a strong beating heart. 


I find myself at peace with everything and feel very calm. I have this overwhelming feeling of patience and just enjoying this whole experience because it is truly remarkable!  


As I like to say.... "A great joy is coming"