32w5d - Over the Sickness

32 wks

We have been battling sickness here in the Whitcomb household, hence the M.I.A. from the blog.  But we are getting better.  It's no fun when you and your spouse are sick at the same time.  We were a mess!

I have a lot to catch up on and need to find the time to update ya'll on everything.  Hopefully this weekend will allow me time to do that (although my Saturday already looks pretty full). 

After weeks of the weather teasing us about snow, we got hit with about 10 inches last night in the D.C. area.  Luckily, Steve and I were already home sick and working, but we know a lot of people who took hours to get home safely (I'm talking 5 plus hours to get from their work to home!)

I am grateful for a my neighbor who just completed an IVF cycle this weekend and managed to take the time to make us chicken noodle soup.  It was so yummy and just what we needed.  I was the one that was suppose to bring her dinner, but since we were so sick, I wanted to make sure we got better before I made dinner for her.  Now I owe her big!

I am also grateful for random acts of kindness by friends.  I had commented on a friend's FB status that I needed to run out and get milk before the snow hit.  I was busy with work and Steve was sleeping, so I didn't have time yet to run out.  Next thing I know, another friend shows up at my doorstep with a gallon of milk!  It just made me want to cry (over milk!).  I felt so blessed!

And after three baby showers, this is what the nursery currently looks like!

We need to sort through all this and get it all organized. 

Baby Matthew certainly got spoiled. 

I am amazed and grateful by everyone's generosity.

I will share pictures from the showers and updates on dr appts in the coming days.

Thank you for the prayers and get well wishes.  We are finally getting back to 'normal' and over the sickness.

I'm grateful for the new followers to my blog.  I lost some followers after I got pregnant so it's nice to know that people are still interestd in reading about our lives.  And a big thank you to those who have stuck around in our journey!  Love you all!!!

31 Wks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 31 wks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of squash.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: So far weight gain has been 6 lbs (according to my home scale).

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Gender: BOY! Matthew Vinh Whitcomb.

Movement: He's moving, but not a whole lot.  He's a very calm baby.  Maybe it's a sign of things to come once he makes his entrance into the world. 

Sleep: Still interrupted by bathroom breaks and coughing fits throughout the night (I've been sick the last couple of days with a cough/cold).

What I miss: Orange juice (weird).

Cravings: Fruit.

Symptons: Uncontrollable bladder (leakage) when I cough or sneeze. 

Best Moment this week: Just feeling every roll, punch, poke and kick when he moves.

I am looking forward to my work shower this week and then my final babyshower on Saturday.  I can't wait to see friends and family who are traveling into town to celebrate with us!

Now I have to clean my house and not stress about having guests stay over. (At least the Christmas stuff is put away!)

Leakage

Warning:  TMI post (but I know there are some of ya'll who can relate!)

I had my first miscarriage in Dec. 2007 and had to get a D and C, every since then, on occasion I would sneeze and leak a little pee.  It didn't happen all the time, just some time. 

Now that I am pregnant, it happens a lot more when I sneeze or cough.  I have been kinda fighting a cold/cough all weekend and it's awful.  I feel like a grown woman who wets her pants all the time now!!  According to web.MD, this is normal.  And some say it doesn't go away AFTER you give birth either!  Oh my goodness....

Tomorrow I have an appt to see the high risk dr.  Part of the 2x a week routine now that I'm on the insulin.  Which by the way, I don't think is really doing much.  If anything, it's not helping at all.  My dinner numbers are still a little high, even though I'm eating some of the things I normally eat and have gotten lower numbers.  I will call the Endo this week and see what he says.

I am hoping the coughing and leaking will go away soon. I have a busy work week.

Abbey with a heavy load at 10 months.

I hope I don't have to wear Depends anytime soon!!

It's Not a matter of IF, It's More of WHEN

That's what my Endocrinologist said to me in the beginning (at 19 wks) when I asked him if I had to go on insulin for the gestational diabetes.  Fast forward 12 weeks (this week puts me at 30 wks)...

When I went to see the OB last  week, she wanted me to go see the Endo before my next scheduled appt (which was Feb. 1). The Endo said my numbers still weren't bad, but I could be doing a little better at dinner time.  I told him I've been hungrier lately.  WE decided that I would go on just 5 units of insulin before dinner (I say 'we' because he did give me the option to not take insulin at all and just keep watching my diet).  So technically I didn't HAVE to go on the insulin (that makes me feel better about it).

And 5 units is hardly anything!  The needle is so tiny I hardly feel anything at all.

However, since I'm on insulin now, I have to see the high risk dr TWICE a week!!  We just saw him this past Monday and baby Matthew is still growing and doing fine (weighing in at 3 lbs 6 ounces).  He said I didn't have to come back for another two weeks, UNLESS I go on insulin.  It's a pain to go twice a week, on top of the OB appts every other week, but it's all worth it. 

The only thing that makes me sad is that Steve won't be able to come with me as much to my appts anymore.  It will be too much for him to miss work.   He will be taking three weeks off once the baby is born!  I'm grateful that I have a somewhat flexible work schedule. 

Looking forward to the long weekend ahead and spending time with Abbey.  We still have to take down Christmas decorations!  I can't be the only one who still has Christmas decor up right?!??

30 Wks and Showers of Love

30 wks

I had my first baby shower on Saturday with friends from church. 

It sounds so weird to say MY baby shower.

I was nervous at first because I hate being the center of attention, but as people started showing up, it was very relaxed and fun!

I couldn't believe that people were actually there for ME (and baby of course).

My friend Anne was gracious enough to host it and many people helped with food. I know how stressful it can be to host a party (I've hosted many showers in my lifetime), but she did an amazing job!

My SIL did the cake and it was so cute and delish!

We had chicken salad with croissant, fruit kabobs, cake pops and pretzels dipped in caramel and white chocolate.  Oh, it was all so yummy!!

I am so grateful for good friends in the gospel. It's a sisterhood that is priceless. 

Baby Matthew got spoiled rotten!

I loved opening gifts for baby and feeling my heart overflowing with love.

We had asked people to sign a book in lieu of a card to help baby start his library.

I love all the books and can't wait to read them all to him. 

Steve even commented on how he was happy we got so many books.

My babyshower was all that I imagined and more! 

I could not stop smiling and felt the love and joy oozing all weekend long.

I am grateful for such thoughtful friends who have been on this journey with us.

Without the faith and prayers of so many, we wouldn't be where we are today.

I am blessed beyond measure!

Sad Hormones and DeLurking

For no particular reason, I've been feeling very sad the last few days.

I could cry at a drop of a hat.

Then I read this story and lost it! (warning: it's a real tear jerker)

It was like niagra falls at my desk (thankfully I was working at home today).

Then I started to feel very protective and worried about the baby, which resulted in more crying.

I was a mess!

Then I had to pull myself together and focus on happy thoughts like....

Making it this far in the pregnancy.

My first baby shower this weekend (which will bring tears of joy!)

Feeling baby move the remote when I set it on my tummy.

A husband who loves me and is just as crazy in love with our baby.

Mint oreos dunked in milk (I only have a few if my numbers are good).

Wonderful neighbors who are so thoughtful and gave us this for baby Matthew

(along with some cute clothes!)

That's right....it says Momma's Boy on it!

Baby Matthew will be one tough Momma's Boy.

And look what I found on clearance, Tonka Trucks! 

Happy, Happy!

Did you know it's blog delurking week?? 

That's right all you lurkers out there...if you've been lurking around my blog come out and leave me a comment or just say hi! And I will visit you back!  I love meeting new bloggers.

I sure could use some cheering up to fight these hormone blues.

29 Wks, 1-1-11

Happy New Year!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29 wks

Size of baby: Baby is the size of squash.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: So far weight gain has been 5 lbs (according to my home scale). I go to the OB next week so I'll get weighed on their scale.

Maternity Clothes: Yes.  Trying to find something to wear to my showers this month and maternity pictures soon.

Gender: BOY! Matthew Vinh Whitcomb.

Movement: He's moving more now since I started introducing him to my old friend Diet Coke. I quit cold turkey in the beginning, but now once in a while I have some and it gets him moving! I love it!

Sleep: Getting harder.  My back hurts and every time I get up to go to the bathroom, it takes me forever to fall back asleep (especially if I have a lot on my mind!)

What I miss: Uninterrupted sleep! It's training for things to come.

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

Symptons: Feeling uncomfortable in my belly. And the heartburn has returned!!

Best Moment this week: Just feeling every roll, punch, poke and kick when he moves.

 We spent new  year's eve at home with friends.  We made a big pot of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and invited some friends over.  It was very low key.  I was in bed by midnight and was almost asleep when the clock struck midnight and there were people screaming and blowing horns and shooting fireworks outside. Luckily it didn't last for too long and I was able to fall back asleep. 

While this year started out with a failed IVF cycle, it has ended with a great blessing to look forward to in the new year!   We can't wait to welcome baby Matthew into the world.  Our lives will be forever changed because of him. 

Thank you to all who have been on this journey with us.  I continue to pray for all those who are still waiting to add to their families (whether through pregnancy or adoption).  Although at times it may seem impossible, keep believing and putting your faith in God.