Update on Baby Gabriel

Dear Hope,

So I am a little late with the update but wanted to get it out…

 I had a regular check up with Dr. Lambert on December 2^nd and once again everything was great!!!  My belly was measuring right on schedule and the heartbeat was strong and steady! My dr was nice enough to even let me tape the sounds of the heartbeat when she did the check with the Doppler. So I was able to send it out to some of our family as a little surprise!!!! 

I also had my “Glucose Tolerance Test”…  Basically I had to drink this very very sugary drink (kinda tasted like the “little hugs” drinks we had as kids) and then an hour later they drew blood to see how well my body could break down the sugars.  Luckily I didn’t receive a call back so I am guessing everything is ok and but I will ask about it more at my next appointment.  

I did reach a HUGE milestone… I know go to the dr EVERY 2 weeks (was at every 4 before- Then once I hit 36 weeks I will go every week).  I can’t believe how fast time is going by…

Next appointment is Friday December 16^th. 

Kate

PS- Today (December 12^th) I had a slight scare…. I had a horrible headache so I checked my blood pressure and it was 140/80 and my pulse was 110.  Both very high for me so I called my dr and she asked me to come in to just check things out and make sure baby was doing ok.  When I saw the dr my BP was still a little high but the baby sounded great and she wasn’t concerned.  She did tell me to go home for the day and rest.  Dr’s orders…. So a nice nap and catching up on some TV was my day. I am feeling better and although I knew everything was going to be ok, I am glad I checked things out!

Baby wants to say Hi!

1st video is just the sound of the heartbeat from my drs appointment 

 (not sure if it will be loud enough to hear...)

This Video is from December 5th

I'm laying down trying to catch the baby's kicks on video. Hard to see but there is a little jump in my belly right away in the video then again after I tap my belly with my fingers- look to the left side of my belly to see it.

(I'll try to catch a better video of her kicking again but

everytime I try to video of course she stops)

NJ Family Baby Shower ~ November 26th

Dear Hope,

So I wanted to share some pictures and memories from my recent Baby Shower that Brian’s family had for me over thanksgiving.  I am so grateful and feel so lucky that they wanted to make a special day for us to celebrate Baby Gabriel.  What made it even more special was that Brian’s mom was able to be in town for it and celebrate too. 

Although the entire day was so wonderful I had a few special moments that will be with me forever.  The 1^st was when Brian’s sister Heather and his mom began singing their version of “Hush Little Baby”.  Definitely never heard this version but we got it on video – thank goodness because I think this may be a new tradition that I will be singing to our baby girl too.  The next special moment was when Eileen gave me the handmade blankets and bibs that were from Brian’s Nana and a special Blanket that Eileen made just for Brian when he was a baby.  I can’t wait to wrap my baby in the blankets and sing “Hush Little Baby”. I’ll tell her the history of these family heirlooms  and how we are so lucky to have been given these amazing gifts. 

Kate  



Me, Nana, and Aunt Heather



 

Nana showing me the book she made
"all about her" for the Baby



I think she liked it :)

  

A little gift for Eileen from the baby

(An amethyst beaded bracelet with
an engraving of "Nana" on the charm)

6 Months down only 3 more to go!!!

Dear Hope,

Today marks 6 months down and only 3 to go!!!! It is even more special because Brian and I are out in Arizona visiting his mom for a few days! Luckily the baby has been very cooperative and Eileen has been able to feel her kick and even feel her when she had the hiccups!  We are then all headed back to NJ to celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of Brian’s family.  I am so thankful that we have this special time to spend with his mom and his family.  This past year has really put things in perspective and although there has been such heartache and sadness at times there has also been so much joy and so many memories made. I think we have all learned to take each day as it comes and be grateful for every day that we have. Most importantly, If I think about what I am truly thankful for, it all comes down to the people in my life and the memories that we share. 

I can’t forget to mention that this weekend Brian’s family is throwing me a baby shower!!!!!  I am so excited to celebrate our baby girl and even more excited that Brian’s mom will be there to celebrate too!!! I have sneaky suspicion that our baby girl is going to be spoiled rotten!!!!

Kate

Dr appt update...

Dear Hope,

Today marks 24 weeks 5 days pregnant… 160days down only 106 to go!!!!

So today I had a routine drs appointment today and while I was there I mentioned that I have been feeling some uncomfortable pressure and cramping when I am on my feet a lot or when I would do a lot of walking. In my heart I knew that it was probably just that everything is growing and stretching and the dr agreed but sent me for an ultrasound just in case. 

Well as suspected everything was fine!!!!  My little miracle was perfect as could be! She is now measuring at 1lb 13oz!!!  The best part was when I could see her tiny mouth moving and making a "sucking" motion! I could also see her eyes fluttering!!!  So amazing!!!  When she was trying to get a good picture of her legs and feet she kept crossing her legs and wiggling her toes! It was so cute!

Here are a few pictures… like I said she was very active so we couldn’t get a good profile picture but she did capture a face on picture that is very defined.

Next appointment is Dec 2^nd – I will also be doing the 1hr Glucose Tolerance Test that day.  From what I hear not too fun… I will drink this sugary drink then an hour later they will take blood to see how well my body can break it down. 

Kate

 

5 month Belly Picture

Dear Hope,

Saturday October 22^nd (22weeks 3 days) marks 5 full months of being pregnant so here are a few Belly shots to show my ever growing belly!!!

More than half way there!!!!

Dear Hope,

Ok so I haven’t been the best in updating my blog… who would have thought planning for a baby could be so time consuming! So here is a little update to catch everyone up on Baby Gabriel.

September 9^th – I had my 16 week check up with Dr Lambert (OB) and everything went great baby’s heartbeat was strong and steady and everything seemed to be going along as planned.  

Later that day I flew back to Buffalo for a long weekend to visit family and celebrate my Goddaughter Molly’s 4^th birthday!!!! I also had a “girls” day on Saturday with my mom, sister, Aunt Pat, and Grandma (GG- great grandma to baby).  Baby Girl and I were spoiled rotten when My Aunt bought us the nursery furniture collection (2 dressers and crib) and my Gram bought the most comfortable glider and ottoman (for all those late nights) and the entire crib bedding set!!!!  It is all so nice and I can’t wait to set up the room!!!!

September 17^th – I think I felt the baby move for the 1^st time!!! I was at Brian’s football game vs Villanova and seeing it was a very exciting game I was jumping up and down and cheering really loud! Well… baby wanted to join in too and all of a sudden I felt this flutter in my belly! I guess she wanted to cheer for daddy too!!!  It worked they WON!!!!  After that I felt it a few more times so I am pretty sure that it was her saying hi!!! But, I was really looking forward to that flutter turning into real kicks (even though everyone says be careful what you wish for when she’s keeping you up at night… I don’t care I love it!!!)

October 4^th – Another check up with my OB – almost 20weeks (I go every 4 weeks or so). Again a great appointment and Baby’s heartbeat was strong!  By now I definitely seem to have a belly and Dr Lambert even used the words “well I think you popped!” 

October 6^th – (20wks 1day) – I think I felt baby’s 1^st real kick today!!! I was at a work meeting all day and as I was sitting at the table I leaned back to stretch and I felt this quick push from inside… It happened a few other times that day and again that night! Since then I have felt it every day (usually at nighttime after dinner when I’m laying down) so I’m pretty sure that it’s my baby girl telling me she’s ok!

October 10^th – Level 2 Ultrasound Day!!!!  I have been waiting so long for this appointment and was nervous but so excited for it to be here! First off the best part of the day was that along with Brian and I my mom and his mom came into town to join us at the appointment!!!  I was so happy they got to see a sneak peak of their granddaughter before anyone else!!!!  It meant so much to Brian and I that they both came from so far to share this experience with us!!!

A level 2 ultrasound is a more in depth view and assessment of the baby.  So the dr and technician look at and measure all the major organs and body parts to see if there are any possible problems or birth defects. Of course they give the disclaimer that it’s not 100% but everything looked normal so we are pretty confident that she is going to be healthy!!!  See her heart pump and her tiny hands open and close was the most amazing sight! It makes me want this 2^nd half of the pregnancy to go even faster so I can hold her in my arms and tell her how much I love her!!! When they measured her they did say that she was measuring a head and gave a due date of February 18^th… however I am going to ask my dr more about that because seeing as we went through IVF and our original due date of Feb 22^nd which was an accurate  calculation I am not sure which to go by.  Sometimes babies have growth spurts and depending on when they are measured it can change dues dates by a few days… but I am glad she is measuring ahead vs behind… I guess I am doing a good job growing this little one.  And who knows maybe she will make her appearance on Feb 19^th and give her daddy a great Birthday present!!!! 

Next OB appointment is November 4^th…. More to come!!!

Kate

 Ultrasound Pictures  (20 weeks 5 days)

4 month Belly Pics (September 22nd - 18wks 1 day)

 

Hurriquake???

Dear Hope,

So last week was a very eventful week… On Monday 8/22 I felt my very 1^st earthquake and that same weekend Hurricane Irene came through the Northeast!!! It’s amazing all these major events and baby girl had no idea! I can’t wait to tell her one day… especially about the Hurricane! Brian and I packed a bag, bought supplies and spent the weekend at the Van Zile’s!!! Brian got a crash course on parenthood as we all slept in the basement together and tried to help entertain 2 little ones without any power! Luckily when we returned to our condo we had no damage and only had to deal with a power outage for a few days (which was not fun but it could have been worse!).  

Feeling great… it’s amazing how now that I am in my “2^nd trimester” I feel like a new person! No naps and I can stay up past 9pm!!! I go to the dr next Friday so I can’t wait to hear the baby’s heartbeat… I know everything is ok but I always have that little piece of me that is worried something may be wrong! I guess considering what I have been through and the new Mommy anxiety… its probably normal!

Kate