Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Time is Flying

I decided to stay home tonight as Ben took our kids to the Twins game.  We've had this game on our calendar for over a month, but late last week I came down with a nasty cold and yesterday I started coughing.  We figured it would be best if I stayed home to rest in a quiet house.  Every time I try to fall asleep I start coughing worse, so I figured this would be a perfect time to quickly update you on what is happening in our surrogacy world. 

On Thursday I'll be 32 weeks already.  I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going - I FEEL FANTASTIC!  I don't think I've ever felt this great this far into a pregnancy.  I'm pretty sure I've always been ready to have my body back at this point.  Yes, it would be nice to feel a little less self conscious about my changing body.  I've gained so much more weight this time than I did with my previous pregnancies, but maybe that's why I feel so good?!  I'm sending out my positive energy that I'll feel this great until at least 36 weeks.  I do need to start processing the ending of this journey.  I can't believe it's almost over.  I learned from my experience last time that I need to have another big goal to focus on so I don't have a 'what now' sort of feeling.  I'm sure that I'll train for another full marathon, but I feel like there might be more.  I just need to do some soul searching and see if I can find what that might be.  Until then, I'll just keep on running!      

31 weeks 4 days
At our 20 week ultrasound we learned that I had partial placental previa.  We went in for a 28 week ultrasound and learned that my placenta had moved clear off my cervix and things look good in that area.  We also learned that baby looks perfect other than it's measuring small - the 6th percentile.  Just to be on the safe side, we were referred to a neonatologist to have a follow up scan.  We went in last week for our first ultrasound and learned that baby is measuring in the 9th percentile (10th percentile and up is considered within normal range).  The neonatologist didn't seem to be concerned at all, however, because it's measuring lower than 10th percent we need to go in for weekly non-stress tests and scans.  They will do a full growth scan on July 7th and we'll see if baby has moved up to at least the 10th percentile or higher.  We have all been made to feel this isn't a huge concern.  Baby looks great, and I'll be a happy camper to push out a wee little one!

Lydia joined us for the ultrasound with the neonatologist.  She has totally been into this pregnancy.  I don't know if it's her age or if it's because she gets to attend the birth of this baby, but she has daily snuggles with my belly and patiently waits to feel movement.  She called IP-B one day to tell them that she has given the baby a name until it's born.  She calls the baby "Pickle".  I have no idea where or why she came up with this name.  She has been delightful to have along for this journey.  The boys will occasionally feel the baby move.  George is more excited to feel the baby than Jack.  They have all been troopers through this pregnancy, but I think they're ready to have their mom back.
Non-Stress Test

Spencer at George's Baseball Game
Our life right now is full of baseball, baseball, and more baseball.  Both Jack and George are on baseball teams and Ben and I have to divide and conquer to make sure each kid has a parent at their game.  Ben is an assistant coach on both teams, so he divides his time up as equally as possible.  Lydia and I eat a lot of sunflower seeds and do a whole lot of sitting. 

We had the pleasure of babysitting Spencer a few weeks ago while his parents were hosting their best friend's baby shower.  It's pretty fun that they are expecting a baby just four weeks before this baby is due.  We were warned that Spencer might be a "flight risk" and they weren't joking.  He's a boy on the move!  It was so fun to hang out with him and take him to George's baseball game.  He really is a cool kid! 






Family 5k











31 week post run
Our family did a 5k last week and we have one this coming Friday.  With the exception of having a cold and cough, I've been able to keep running 2-5 miles at a time.  Last week I had a day where the ligaments in my stomach hurt so bad that I had to finish my workout by just walking, but my run the following day I didn't even feel like I was pregnant and felt like a million bucks.  This coming Sunday I'm doing the PRIDE 5k with my sister and sister-in-law.  My sister-in-law suggested this race and I felt like it was calling me by name.  The Boom girls will start the race on Boom Island while I carry this rainbow baby.  How could I not run this race?!  You bet, I'll be wearing my 'I'm a Rainbow Baby' shirt!  It will be a fun tribute to my final surrogate pregnancy.