Jarrett and I just got back last night from somewhat of a babymoon in West Palm Beach, Florida. We had a nice, relaxing time, regardless of the fact that part of the trip involved work for Jarrett. He attended a coworker's forum while we were there, but we intentionally flew down a couple of days early so we would be sure to have some nice alone time together. Most of Jarrett's company's meetings are held at The Ritz-Carlton, and this one was no different. So, needless to say, the accommodations were very nice. The place is -- not surprisingly -- pricey, but thankfully we were able to have the discounted meeting rate extended for the nights that were on our tab, which was great. This particular Ritz sits right on the beach, so you have immediate beach access, as well as access to the beautiful grounds leading out to the beach that include two pools and a jacuzzi. This is probably -- no, definitely -- a place Jarrett and I would not normally choose for a vacation, but we ended up having a great time nonetheless.
Our luck with the weather was rather grim -- it seemed we would get out on the beach or by the pool, be out about an hour or so... just enough time to order some drinks, and then the dark clouds would roll in and the downpour would begin. Despite the rain, we still had a nice time lazing around and enjoying the peace and quiet. My friend, Jenny, who moved with her husband, Sean, to Austin, Texas, a few months back, flew in late Tuesday night, as it was her husband who was running this particular forum. So she and I were able to hang out together most of the day Wednesday and yesterday morning, and then all four of us were together yesterday afternoon before Jarrett and I had to head to the airport. It was great to catch up with her and have some girl time. We didn't have much better luck with the weather Wednesday, but yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, so it was lovely that we were all able to spend some time in the sun before Jarrett and I had to jet (Sean and Jenny were staying on until Saturday).
It's hard to believe that was our last trip before Baby Helms makes three, but Jarrett reminded me that baby or no baby, we will always find time for the occasional trip alone. Those excited grandparents will be greatly anticipating those opportunities (at least I know my mom has already mentioned it)!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
32 Weeks
This week, according to BabyCenter, Baby Helms weighs about 3.75 pounds (this week she is a large jicama... doesn't sound nearly as cute as a butternut squash) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in the uterus. Apparently I should count on gaining about a pound a week from here on out, and roughly half of that goes right to the baby. In fact, she will gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next seven weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
31 Weeks
According to BabyCenter, Baby Helms measures over 16 inches long, and weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges). From here, she is apparently headed into a growth spurt (meaning my belly is as well, I suppose!). She can do some fancy things these days, such as turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin.
She is definitely moving around quite a lot, despite the fact that, according to the midwife, she is pretty well stuck head down in birth-ready position. She enjoys wedging her knees or feet (or something) up into my right rib cage, which I think is causing the bit of back pain I am experiencing -- but I can take it. It's actually quite comforting and pretty cool to feel the little one move around. I also felt what must have been those hiccups I've read I might feel last Friday evening while over at Kate and Tim's house for the Fourth, so Kate finally was able to feel the baby move!
She is definitely moving around quite a lot, despite the fact that, according to the midwife, she is pretty well stuck head down in birth-ready position. She enjoys wedging her knees or feet (or something) up into my right rib cage, which I think is causing the bit of back pain I am experiencing -- but I can take it. It's actually quite comforting and pretty cool to feel the little one move around. I also felt what must have been those hiccups I've read I might feel last Friday evening while over at Kate and Tim's house for the Fourth, so Kate finally was able to feel the baby move!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Midwife Appointment at Isis
Today was my appointment with Margaret (yay!) in the second mentioned new office, which I absolutely love. It took me 55 minutes to get to there, but it was totally worth every tick of the clock. The office itself isn't much to speak of from the outside -- one of those brick medical office complexes that appears like it was built in the 70s, where you enter each office from the outside -- but the inside had a very new, clean, pleasant, relaxing feel, and all of the personnel were extremely friendly.
The appointment started out as all the others at the old office -- peed in a cup, weighed in (gained two pounds since the last visit... now at a grand 144), and had my blood pressure taken. My blood pressure continues to be good, but I apparently "spilled" sugar in my urine (strange term in my opinion, but whatever). Margaret asked me if my glucose test had come back negative (she didn't have my chart this visit), and I said yes, so then she asked me what I ate for breakfast. I had cereal with blueberries and orange juice. Apparently blueberries this time of year tend to have this affect, so she thinks that is possibly the cause... or maybe even the orange juice. If sugar shows up during the next test, they might possibly take some blood just to make sure. During the rest of my visit with Margaret, she went through her ritual of first kind of feeling the baby and "saying hello" to it, then she listened for the heartbeat, and then she had me bend my knees and she felt my belly again, this time applying a bit more pressure, to try to figure out the baby's position. The little one is apparently already head down, and Margaret claims that she is really down in there and is not likely to change position until birth, which is fabulous to hear. She tried to help me feel the head -- and I think I did feel it somewhat -- but it proved to be a bit difficult. We chatted awhile longer and I asked a couple of questions. One of the qualities I love about Margaret is that she never makes things feel rushed.
When I checked out and made my next appointment, the receptionist said that they would go about trying to track down my chart from one of the two previous practices, which is lovely. Hopefully I won't have to worry about that again at all.
Since my weeks are a bit off at this point (since I was supposed to go in at 30 weeks), and since things seem to be going quite swimmingly, my next appointment is scheduled in three weeks rather than two (at 34 weeks). I will then go again two weeks after that, and then will be at the point where I'll go in on a weekly basis!
The appointment started out as all the others at the old office -- peed in a cup, weighed in (gained two pounds since the last visit... now at a grand 144), and had my blood pressure taken. My blood pressure continues to be good, but I apparently "spilled" sugar in my urine (strange term in my opinion, but whatever). Margaret asked me if my glucose test had come back negative (she didn't have my chart this visit), and I said yes, so then she asked me what I ate for breakfast. I had cereal with blueberries and orange juice. Apparently blueberries this time of year tend to have this affect, so she thinks that is possibly the cause... or maybe even the orange juice. If sugar shows up during the next test, they might possibly take some blood just to make sure. During the rest of my visit with Margaret, she went through her ritual of first kind of feeling the baby and "saying hello" to it, then she listened for the heartbeat, and then she had me bend my knees and she felt my belly again, this time applying a bit more pressure, to try to figure out the baby's position. The little one is apparently already head down, and Margaret claims that she is really down in there and is not likely to change position until birth, which is fabulous to hear. She tried to help me feel the head -- and I think I did feel it somewhat -- but it proved to be a bit difficult. We chatted awhile longer and I asked a couple of questions. One of the qualities I love about Margaret is that she never makes things feel rushed.
When I checked out and made my next appointment, the receptionist said that they would go about trying to track down my chart from one of the two previous practices, which is lovely. Hopefully I won't have to worry about that again at all.
Since my weeks are a bit off at this point (since I was supposed to go in at 30 weeks), and since things seem to be going quite swimmingly, my next appointment is scheduled in three weeks rather than two (at 34 weeks). I will then go again two weeks after that, and then will be at the point where I'll go in on a weekly basis!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I Found Her (Again)
I tracked Margaret down again -- this time by calling the random number that was still in my phone from which Margaret called me yesterday morning. Thankfully she picked up. It turns out that she is going to be at Isis OB/GYN, which means she will be working with Kay Johnson, who also comes very highly recommended in the Atlanta area (and was on the question/answer panel at my church the day they had the showing of The Business of Being Born). Kay was going to be a back-up for Margaret and the other midwife at Alpharetta Women's Specialists when it was thought that Margaret was going to be there, but this is even better. This means that Kay will be the number one back-up, so as long as Margaret stays put, I'll have two really fabulous midwifes on my side. Anyway, I've already called and left a message regarding an appointment because Margaret thought they might be able to get me in tomorrow, though I don't know what they will do about getting my records. Otherwise it will likely be next Tuesday or Thursday.
10 Weeks Left (Maybe)
We've reached the 30-week mark, which I'm finding a bit hard to believe. It seemed like forever before we reached 20 weeks and had the ultrasound, but time has flown by ever since. Full-term is considered to be 36 weeks, so we of course want to at least make it that far -- but that is six weeks away! We could actually have a baby in six weeks, and that is insane to me. Don't get me wrong -- we're excited -- but it still seems crazy.
So what is Baby Helms up to this week? BabyCenter says that she is about 15.7 inches long now, and weighs almost 3 pounds (we're talking head-of-cabbage-size this week). A pint-and-a-half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in the uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision -- which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.
In other news, I was supposed to meet with Margaret in the new practice for the first time yesterday morning, but as I was literally about to make the turn onto the highway, I got a call from her. Apparently her contract is not working out as planned, and after just two weeks she is already likely going to leave. She told me that she thought she would be able to see me this Thursday (where, I don't know) and that she would give me a call back yesterday afternoon, but I have yet to hear from her. Yes, I am feeling a bit anxious about this situation, but I do find comfort in the fact that she is actually calling me personally on my cell phone. Who knows, maybe she had to attend a birth yesterday. I am just hoping I hear something today. I have somewhat of a back-up plan if things to work out with Margaret, but I just like her so much that I would hate for it to come to that. We shall see.
My dear friends, Jill and Meeghan, threw me a surprise pre-baby shower on Monday evening, which was very sweet of them. Neither of them are going to be able to make it to the shower in August, so they wanted to do something prior. It was, of course, completely unnecessary, but very thoughtful and fun. Thanks, girls!
So what is Baby Helms up to this week? BabyCenter says that she is about 15.7 inches long now, and weighs almost 3 pounds (we're talking head-of-cabbage-size this week). A pint-and-a-half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in the uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision -- which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.
In other news, I was supposed to meet with Margaret in the new practice for the first time yesterday morning, but as I was literally about to make the turn onto the highway, I got a call from her. Apparently her contract is not working out as planned, and after just two weeks she is already likely going to leave. She told me that she thought she would be able to see me this Thursday (where, I don't know) and that she would give me a call back yesterday afternoon, but I have yet to hear from her. Yes, I am feeling a bit anxious about this situation, but I do find comfort in the fact that she is actually calling me personally on my cell phone. Who knows, maybe she had to attend a birth yesterday. I am just hoping I hear something today. I have somewhat of a back-up plan if things to work out with Margaret, but I just like her so much that I would hate for it to come to that. We shall see.
My dear friends, Jill and Meeghan, threw me a surprise pre-baby shower on Monday evening, which was very sweet of them. Neither of them are going to be able to make it to the shower in August, so they wanted to do something prior. It was, of course, completely unnecessary, but very thoughtful and fun. Thanks, girls!
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