Scare at the Dr's Office..

Today I went for my 37th week prenatal.
And it scared the living poo put of me.


To start off with...in all honesty I wasn't even going to GO to my prenatal because I didn't feel like sitting there 2 hours.
But I went anyway because I knew I would worry and feel bad if I didn't.

As it turned out..I didn't have to wait to long.
I got in within a few minutes and Doc was in the room a few more minutes after that.
I always get my BP done first..and then he measures me...leaving the babies heartbeat (thee best part of the whole visit!!!) till last!

Never, In any of my pregnancies have they ever had trouble finding a heartbeat.
They squish the goo on and as soon as that wand touches mee tummy, voila! Instant heart beat. So I was laying there quite relaxed ready to listen to the heartbeat, thinking to myself that it was probably going to be one of the last times I actually got to hear it.

So he put the wand on my tummy and nothing.
He moves it to the other side and nothing.
Moves it back and forth...up and down....and nothing.
About 30 seconds has gone by and Im starting to panic.
I look up at Doc..who's biting his lip...and concentrating.
He moves the wand all over again...still nothing.
By this time my mouth has gone dry, Im starting to shake and REALLY panic.

Doc looks at me and says,
"Do we know what this baby is?"
I said,
"Its a girl."
He says expectantly..
"And she's been kicking like crazy right?"
I said..
"Yes." trying to think when the last time I felt her move was. I was positive it was at lunch...but maybe I was wrong?

HE moves the wand ever so slightly..noticing my obvious despair and finds a heartbeat.
I start to breath a sigh of relief, when I realise that the heart beat is quite a bit slower than usual. He grabs my wrist and starts to take my pulse.
He shakes his head ever so slightly and says.."Nope. We're picking up YOUR heartbeat..."

By this time Im really starting to get upset.
All the horror stories about still births always start with..."I had a regular Dr's appt and thats when they couldn't find the heartbeat."

He says he wants to try lower on my tummy. He says he has a feeling she is really low and scrunched up down there. I said.."So I shouldn't start panicking yet?"
He smiles and says, "NO!"

He moves down lower, goo's me up again , turns the dopler back on and...nothing.
Tears are stuck in my eyelashes and Im trying to process what is happening..why isn't LAUNI here?
He moves the wand lower and turns it to the side and....FINALLY, he gets the heartbeat.
I let out a huge sigh of relief and almost throw up.
Doc even lets out a sigh and says.."Perfect HB..healthy as a horse!!"
Obvious relief washes over his face.
We talk briefly about what a brat she is!!!

I get in the car and drive home.
I barely make it to the door before I start bawling.
I feel completely traumatized.
*sigh*

Launi comes to my rescue. I tell him what happened as he pats my head, and is very understanding.
I still feel as though my heart has been bruised.

Anyway...thank god she is "okay"...though I definitely could have done without all the drama! Thats a girl for you....

xox
d

Heads and Pelvis's and Things

I had forgotten how much it hurts to have a boney head, lodged in your boney pelvis.
:(

When Im not pee'ing...I feel like I have to pee. And if I don't feel like I have to pee, then Im anticipating finding a bathroom because I know that in 5 minutes I will HAVE to pee.
This is the MOST irritating at night time when Im trying to sleep.
I got up to pee 7 times last night.
7!!!!!!!!!!

If Im lucky, by the time I get up Ive had a good solid 2 hours of sleep.
This isn't to mention the bloody insomnia that has me up well past 3:00am.

Thank god Launi has been home and he gets up with Lijie (the human rooster) and lets me sleep a bit in the morning. If not for that, Im sure I would be a walking zombie.

Bought a few more things for the wee miss today.
Ran into a girl we know and she is due in 8 days. She is doing any and everything to try and get that baby out NOW.
Kinda of know how she feels, though fear keeps me from any odd home remedies.
I have a feeling that this bebee may come early. I have been having some pre-labor/early labor symptoms...but as we all know, those can go on for WEEKS before labor starts. So Im not holding my breath.

Had a dream I had the baby and it was actually my dog Fyn.
I kept letting everyone hold and admire her, and I kept repeating, "I will so happy when she is past her dog stage."
Im still perplexed by that one...

36 weeks!!

I have 26 days left!! (According to my ticker...)
WOW!

The past few days have been somewhat eye opening for me.
For the past 6 weeks Ive been really anxious/nervous/scared/etc etc etc about everything. The birth, the baby, how Lijie is going to handle everything, etc etc etc. All things that I have no control over. And all things that are going to happen whether I like it or not, so whats the point in worrying right?

Ive been losing focus on the things Im excited about. Adding to our family, A GIRL, just having her here, smelling her head, introducing her to Lijie, a newborn in the house again, etc etc etc. There are many joys and exciting things to come. I know that there will be days that I'll sit in chaos and wonder, "What in the HELL am I doing?" ...but all those days come to an end eventually. Im ready for whatever will come. I don't have alot of expectations...I will just take things as they come, one day at a time.

Confiding my fears during a recent rant to a friend of mine who is also pregnant (with her 4th!!) very greatly helped to put me back in the moment!! I needed this reminder, so Im including it in my post. Thank you Erin!! I read this over and over again and it helps. :)

Dani...dani.... stop the worries. I did enough of it when I was pregnant with Thor, and in the end, what everyone told me was true...none of the worries matter as soon as you see her little face. All the stuff I was scared about (DO NOT watch your previous birthing videos a month before you're due) well it just didn't matter. I worried about sharing rooms/car seats all the sleepless nights... and it all worked out.

Am I helping, probably not. Here's what I learnt from that pregnancy/birth. Labor will hurt, but it is better each time, it does in fact end, even though it feels as though it never will, and once he was born, I felt something more with him then I had felt with the others...not a greater love, but I was so much more at peace with each child...so I was instantly in love with him, because I knew what to expect and what I was doing. Does that make sense?

I learnt, not to worry, so with this one...ahh whatever, it's gonna hurt, but it will all be okay in the end. It's taken me 4 pregnancies to get to this point though. And now I have to squeeze one more baby into our house/rooms...but it will all be good. They can share, even if they are small rooms...it will work. I'm NOT going to stress myself over things that just don't matter anymore. I have done enough of that.

I think what worries me most these days is the mess/aftermath on my body that is going to be left. The surgeries and what is to come after. That scares me... the unknown. That and well...what will Thor be up to, while I am taking care of/nursing this baby. I think my house will never be the same again.


Ive been feeling pretty good. Very tired...and in need of a nap ALOT of the time. I need to get results of my diabetes test and the Group B strep. Im supposed to go in on the 22nd for another prenatal...I would assume I will get those results then.
I also have another ultrasound booked for thee 30th!! That should be exciting. They will estimate weight and all that good stuff. Launi is paranoid that they are going to say "OH LOOK..its actually a boy." He makes me laugh.
So he is particularily interested in this ultrasound!!!
I just want them to confirm that she isn't 11lbs!!!!

Lijie has his pediatric allergist appointment in calgary that week as well. So its going to be reallllly busy. Im looking forward to that appointment as well. We've had it booked for 10 months. Hopefully it will give us some of the answers that we need.

Anyway..we're chuggin' along...things are looking good. :)

35 weeks

Im still here.
Had another prenatal and everything looked good!!
I was assaulted by a giant q-tip for my group b strep test, but other than that everything was normal. Measuring good, BP good, head down...etc etc etc.
I was sent with a form to call for another ultrasound and the cranky lady at booking told me that there was absolutely NO appointments left and absolutely NO way they could squeeze me in.
They can fit me in , in the middle of June...which is no help as I will probably have already HAD The baby by then.
I am to consult with my Doctor and find "alternative means." (Whatever the hell that means.)

So some people are in awe over how "tiny" I am.
And others are in awe over how "HUGE" I am.
Annie says it looks like Im going to give birth to a small elephant. (She always makes me feel petite and pretty.)
Whilst others says "My, your not that big."
Perhaps those people are just trying to make me feel better. LOL.
I am smaller than I was with Lijie..I DO know that for sure. And Ive gained way less weight this time as well.

Otherwise Im fine.
Crabby at times, and really uncomfortable...and scared as hell. But fine.
I seem to have a bucket full of worries that I drag around and think about all the time.
~ppd
~the birth
~the pain
~the epidural
~being out of control
~will Lijie handle it well?
~what if I don't love this baby as much as I love Lijie?
~what if we don't bond?
~what if I die and leave launi with 2 children.
~what if something really awful and unexpected happens?
~what if I can't do it?

Those are the fears that I will admit to. Sometimes I wonder if I know what in the hell Im doing.??????????????????????????????????????

We're getting so excited to have her finally here.I am just worried about everything else.

Im pretty much all ready for her. She has a very extensive wardrobe and jewellery. :)

I shall keep updating as we go on!!
xox
d

34 weeks ~More Belly Shots~

34 weeks
Even though Im getting increasingly terrified with each day that goes by, since this will be my last pregnancy Im trying to get all I can out of it. Im trying to shove the fear aside and enjoy this last little bit.
More Pictures To Share!!

Pick a name, any name....

We've had a heck of a time picking out a name for this little girl.
(Okay okay....I have had a heck of a time. I keep changing my mind and driving Launi insane.)

But...she's now officially been named. :)

Care to take a guess at what we picked?
Check out the above poll and cast your vote!!

33 Weeks and Counting....

33 weeks........HOLY!!!
We're in the home stretch now people!!
(And Im terrified..)

Its been a very busy couple of weeks with company, Lijie, more company, traveling out of town, and on and on and on.
It seems that I am taking a nap DAILY now.
Launi has been off work for awhile and thank god. He has been such a huge help.
He'll go back to work soon and Im dreading it.
I get tired SO easily. Its pathetic. I am looking forward to having my body "back" and for my routine and abilites to return to "normal".
(If that will ever happen with 2 kids. Some days I feel so unprepared..)

Anyway..not much new to report on the pregnancy front.
I have been going to the Doc every 2 weeks now. And things with the beebee have been very good. I go today for my GD test. (Very very late in the game. BUT..better late than never..) And then later tonite Launi and I go to the better beginnings at the hospital. Its mostly just a tour and paperwork to pre-register. We did it with Lijie to, but the nurse said that alot has changed so its worth going to.

I have another Dr's appt this week as well. I have to have a group b strep test done again. I was positive with Lijie, so I have a feeling I will be with this one to.
I also have another ultrasound in about 2-3 weeks as well to check everything out.

I have to get everything at home organized to.
I have all the "stuff" it just needs to be put away, etc.
All her clothes have to be washed, Launi needs to build her dresser...we have some furniture to shuffle and move around.
Its getting so close...and Im getting so..NERVOUS!

Okay so here is a belly shot, taken yesterday.
(Notice the one lovely squiggley stretch mark. Bastardly thing...)


Yep indeedy. She's in there. Im Huge. I want her out.

30 weeks!

Okay so...
I had another prenatal today!
I am darn near almost 30 weeks!!

Bloodpressure was perfect.
Im measuring right on target.
Heartbeat was greeeeat!

I was weighed again and thus far I have only gained 10lbs for the entire pregnancy.

He brought up thee subject of pain management during labor.
He said he wanted me to know that he would have absolutely no problem ordering me up an epidural anytime that I wanted it.
When I told him about Lijies labor and delivery he said...
"You did it natural? WHY?"
When he found out I had pushed for 3.5 hours without any pain meds he said.."Well thats just ridiculous!!!"
(I laughed at him.)

He said.."Look it...seriously...(in his lovely african accent that I OH SO LOVE!!!) I don't give out medals for women who suffer through pain. I really recommend the epidural...ok?"

Launi was with me and he says..."OOH she's having the epidural this time. Even though she did really well (thank you bunches..) I thought that natural stuff was crap!!"

So...it looks like Im going to have thee epidural.

Everything else has been fairly "normal". I can't sleep at night and its driving me insane. If I happen to fall asleep before 4:00am , then I doze in 20 min cycles and Im up usually 6+ times a night to pee. *UGD*

Im getting rather huge. Though Im deffinately not as big this time..as I was with Lijie. Everything is getting squished though...and I can feel that. My stomach is always eiher up or down. Im hungry to the point of starvation...or Im slightly nauseaous, uncomfortable, and full of heartburn or Gas. So attractive.....
I feel like Ive completley run out of room for this baby and there is still 10 weeks left.

I go for another ultrasound in 5 weeks. :)
xox
d

27 weeks...and I need a hip replacement!!

Okay all you fiends...here are the newest belly shots!!

Big Belly #1:


Big Belly #2


Big Belly #3



Huge, Huge and Hugest.
Yes I have deffinately popped out there since my last photo op at 24 weeks.
This baby...is growing.
I am having major HIP, leg, sciatic issues. (Its safe to throw a bum cheek in there to, as most times its so numb I can't feel it, or its so sore Im in agony.)

She moves around ALOT.
And Launi is WRONG..its not because Im eating to many reece peanut butter cups.

Launi loves the belly.
Lijie thinks its wierd.
And all the dogs want to do is sleep on top of it.

Ahhh....glorious pregnancy.
Are we done yet? :)

xox
d

24 weeks!!

Okay so , Im at 24 weeks and Im getting rather large.
Got on the scale a couple of days ago and Im still only showing about a 5-6lbs weight gain for the entire pregnancy.
However I KNOW that that will change soon.

I was alot bigger with Lijie...that is for sure!!

New symptoms:
a) tail bone hurts like a fork in the eye
b) pubic bone, probably bearing the majority of the pressure and weight, feels at times like its gonna SNAP in half. Delightful sensation.
c) really really dry skin.
d) HUGE BOOBS!!!!! I look like I belong in a brothel.

Over the past 2 weeks Ive found myself getting REALLY excited about this baby.
Also, Im having moments of sheer terror.
Im trying to prepare myself for how much our lives are all going to change...but realistically I know that I can only prepare myself so much. The rest we will just deal with as it happens.

I have no expectations. And I have no preconceived notions as to what this baby will be "like".
(As I did with Lijie..)
I am not trying to convince myself she will sleep.
I am not expecting her to be laid back and tranquil.
(As I did with Lijie!!!!!)
I am preparing myself to take it...as it comes.

Will take pictures later of the babies wardrobe.
Ive been buying an awful lot of pink! So much fun!!

I still need to go for my GD test. Haven't done that one yet....
And I need to schedule my next prenatal right away as well.

22 weeks 4 days

Ahhh pregnancy.
I ache...everywhere. And Im not even THAT big yet.
All my barbie bendy bits are hurting. (Where my legs join my body..my hips..*UGD*)
Im starting to get uncomfortable in all positions.

However the GOOD news is that I had my ultrasound and there was NO gall stones to be found. *phew*
I was really happy because that meant that I could go and have the BIG assed breakfast that I had been craving. And damn did it taste goooood! :)

So it must be a bruised rib or some other oddity that comes with pregnancy.
That is much easier to deal with than gallbladder issues!!!

Other than that and being very stiff and achey I have been doing pretty good.
I have been sleeping alot. I am so tired all the time. Its been nice to have Launi home because that means I can have an afternoon nap here and there..and even sleep in a bit in the mornings. Its been heaven. (Thank you Bunches.)

The baby has been moving around like crazy. The other night she was just doing sommersaults and giving lots of really good jabs. Launi came upstairs and I told him to come and sit and see if he could feel it. So he sits very patiently with his hand on my belly and all of a sudden..*bump bump* Both of us started laughing and giggling like 8 year old girls!!! She kept it up and every time we'd feel it, we'd just start giggling. :)

No other pregancy news to date.
Except that I have added BRA EXTENDERS to my bra's. *UGD*
I swear..if my boobs get any bigger they are going to explode.
Thank god my ass stopped growing.....

We're doing well!! :)
xox
d

21 weeks and 1 day

Here's a 21 week picture for you all!!



Not to much is new lately.
I have my gallbladder and liver ultrasound on the 12th of this month.
About 6 weeks ago my rib (middle rib, right under my bra, on the right side) started to ACHE and give me grief. It felt bruised and achey. I mostly noticed it when I coughed, or sneezed or moved around alot. It felt mostly muscular so I didn't pay alot of attention to it.
Then people started to say, "I sure hope its not your gallbladder" and my mind started to work overtime.
So I went to the Doc about 2 weeks ago and got him to check it out. He decided to send me for ultrasound and JUST to be safe, he put me on a NO FAT diet. *BLECH*
(Because I was also having some pain under my shoulder blade in the center of my back..he was a tad concerned, as the two go hand in hand if you're having gallbladder issues.)

So its been about 2 weeks (give or take) that Ive been on this basturd of a "no fat" diet. In the mean time Ive been going to the chiropractor and he's been adjusting and snapping me back into place. He poked and prodded around where its been bothering me and its HIS opinion that Ive bruised a rib.
I am inclined to agree as thats exactely what it feels like...and the pain that I have, is RIGHT on top of the rib and not exactely where it would hurt if it was gallbladder. Also..given that it only really hurts if I clench up the muscles in that area, or bump that particular rib..it seems to me, its more muscle/rib related than gallbladder. Previous to going to the Doc about it, I had been eating fatty meals and it didn't make the pain worse or more uncomfortable. It didn't seem to bother it at all. So...its looking like its a bruised rib.

HOWEVER..because I have a bad case od OCD and major anxiety, I am paranoid about what I eat..worrying that every meal is going to send my gallbladder into some sort of a frenzy..resulting in the dreaded "gallbladder" attack.

So I have been following the "No Fat" diet out of FEAR and not common sense.
Thusly, Ive lost 5 lbs in the past 3 weeks.
(Living on fat free yogurt, chicken wraps, vegetables and gummi bears will do that to a person.)

So technically, if I go with my pre-pregnant weight and add what Ive gained thus far..its only been 4 lbs!

I don't know how to feel about that.
Firstly Im really righteously indignant that I "can't" have fat...because all I want to eat is FATTY foods. Eggs benedict...sausage egg mcmuffins...mac and cheese...a perogy or two (or 12)..a big cheese burger...*UGD*!!!!!!!!!!!
Secondly..I hate that I won't listen to what common sense and MY body are telling me..and that is ,that this is a bruised rib or a muscle issue...and not my gallbladder. But thats severe anxiety for you. All reason and logic goes flying out the window.
So until the ultrasound confirms that I have a healthy, stone free gallbladder...then I will continue on with this ridiculous diet and feel hungry and irritated that I can't have CHEESE!
(And don't suggest fat free cheese. Have you actually ATE fat free cheese? Im telling you..it ain't cheese if you can SEE through IT!!)

I will also admit that it really chaps my ass that this is happening whilst Im pregnant and have no intention of losing weight. Actually its the ONE time in my life when I can eat "for two"!! So I feel kind of...gipped!!!!

Enough whinging!
I would have to say that other than these annoying little things that pop up and a very sore back and tailbone..the pregnancy has been going very well for the past 6 weeks. Ive felt better, more energy, the cloud of depression has lifted, and Im feeling a bit more like my "Old Self". The worry of losing the baby has subsided..and its all starting to become more real and exciting to me.

I will sign off with another picture that we took...one of Lijie kissing his sister! :)
He's been somewhat in denial the past few weeks...when ever we refer to the baby as his "sister", and laughs and says, "No you MEAN BRUDDER, silly!!"
And he still tells everyone the baby is a boy!! :)

Meet Baby Girl Richert!

Some pictures of the wee miss.
She was waving at us, she has feet like her dad, and she was very relaxed, lounging about in there! :)







Isn't she lovely?! :)

5 months ~Half Baked~

Yep, its true. We're getting a GIRL!!! :)
We couldn't be more excited!!

Here are a couple of new belly shots.
(Its true what they say about stripes. They make you look HUGE!!)

The "Richert" Family Is Having a.......

ULTRASOUND DAY!!

Today is ultrasound day!!
YAAAAAAAAY!

"Hopefully" this baby will co-operate and let us see what he or she "is".
Of course, our fingers are crossed for a happy and healthy baby...anything else we find out will be a bonus. :)
We are so excited!!

Will you be a boy?
Or a Girl?

STAY TUNED!!
xox
d

19 weeks and 3 days

Time seems to be going by faster now!
In a few days I will be half way done this pregnancy.
WoW!

Thought Id come in and give a quick update.
We're very excited, our ultrasound is in 4 days!!! YAAY!
Stay tuned for (hopefully) a revealing of what thee baby "is".
We're hoping for "healthy"! Anything we find out other than that will be a nice bonus!

Ive actually been having some braxton hicks contractions! At first I thought..."No Way"..that can't be what it is. But I talked to some other mom's and dug out my baby book and sure enough they start out around the 5 month mark..and you can feel them earlier with your second and subsequent pregnancies. It usually if Ive been on my feet for a long time and Ive been busy cleaning or moving stuff around, etc.

Been feeling the baby move around alot more the last couple of days to. We went to a movie last night and baby was moving around TONS!

Ive been having all the aches and pains that is a par for the course when you're pregnant. My back has been killing me. My hips hurt, my ribs are so sore and feel bruised. Im attributing this to everything moving and shifting and stuffs getting squished up in there!!

Anyways, enough complaining. Things seem to be going well. I have another prenatal appt. at the beginning of Feb. Then I go for the yummy glucose test at 22 weeks. (Barf)

Stay Tuned!! :)

xox
d

Prenatal Today! {17 weeks 3 days}

Had another prenatal today!!

The heartbeat was 162. It sounded lovely and loud..nice and strong.
[AND..again..I mention...162 is girl territory!!:]

Blood pressure was good. 110/70.
(Felt my ankles to check for swelling. Was most embaressed when I remembered I hadn't shaved my legs in DAYS *ugd*)

He poked around my tummy for a bit and Im measuring perfectly for 17.5 weeks. He said there is not twins in there and he reassured me Im not "BIG".

All totalled, Ive gained 6 lbs so far this pregnancy.

I got my ultrasound booked for January 25th! We're super excited!!! :)

Everything went really well, except that I have ANOTHER bladder infection. (Or a bladder infection that doesn't go away...EVER.)

Another appointment in a month!!

Ive been feeling quite alot better. Im trying not to sleep as much..but Im still really tired at certain moments during the day.
I haven't been sleeping worth a crap either. Insomnia is back with a vengance.

Taking it one day at a time. Will soon be half way done. Can't believe it! :)

Let The VOTING Begin!!

Is Dani having a: BOY or a GIRL?

Points to ponder..
~belly popped out in front VERY early.
~ass has grown tremendously
~much crankier this time around
~at last Dr's visit HB was 150bpm (previously to that is was 160 bpm)

So please, CAST your vote in the comment section.
You can simply put, Boy or Girl, or you can leave me a lengthy post about why you have picked either. :)

If you end up being correct in your vote then you are the winner of a sense of satisfaction at just being "RIGHT".

Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!