Christmas Cards

How many of you have already started putting up your Christmas decorations??  The weather here has been quite warm and I was just telling my husband that we should at least get the lights up (but not turn them on yet until Dec).  Every year he wants to wait until after Thanksgiving before he pulls out the Christmas stuff, but then every year we're freezing our bums off outside as we try to put up lights. 

Another thing I've been starting to think about is Christmas cards!  I love receiving Christmas cards/newsletters from family and friends.  I am super excited to share our baby news this year with everyone so I've been looking for the perfect card.  Shutterfly has a huge selection to choose from and these are some of my favorites.  I love the monogram ones!  I can't wait to create our Christmas cards this year!

Shutterfly

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Shutterfly

Bloggers can get 50 free cards from Shutterfly, just click here.

It's never too early to get into the Christmas spirit!

Baby Update - 21w2d

I'm finally getting around to posting baby Vietitaly's sonogram pictures.

Here he is at 17 wks, face down (which seems to be his favorite position).

Profile at 19 wks

It's a boy! 19 wks.

21 wks (yeah, I can't see anything in this picture)

Last week I went in to see the endocrinologist to follow up on the gestational diabetes.  After two weeks of monitoring my blood sugar level, he said I am doing well.  However, I have to keep pricking my fingers and I have to watch what I eat for dinner because my numbers should be a little bit better.  We concluded  that I was not snacking enough between lunch and dinner, therefore seem to be either eating more at dinner or not eating the right kinds of food. I am now packing fruit, craisins and pecans to snack on.

Today I went in to see the high risk dr for my 21 wk appt today.  Baby seems to be doing well.  He was face down again so they couldn't get a good profile picture.  The dr came in and measured my cervix and checked out my uterus.  He pressed down on my belly to check the cervix.  He said there seems to be a small change in my cervix when he presses down on it.  He prescribed progesterone to help 'relax' my uterus so it won't affect my cervix.  I have to go back in a week to follow up.

The dr also asked me about my work and commute and then told me that when I get home from work, I am to do nothing!  He wants me off my feet.  I asked about exercise (30 mins on the treadmill to help the diabetes) and he said no!  Then he looked at Steve and said 'do absolutely nothing!'  That means Steve has to take care of me.  If Steve wasn't there to hear it for himself, he probably wouldn't have believed me if I told him that's what the dr ordered.  He really is a trooper.  I love him more every day.  We asked if I would have to go on bedrest and the dr said he's not sure yet.  He wants to see how the progesterone will work.  I think I will eventually be on bedrest (I'm secretly welcoming it, given the stress at work!)

Halloween Weekend

Work has been keeping me super busy so I haven't had time to blog. I'm hoping things will slow down, but it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

Other than a busy work schedule, everything else is going well.  Baby is good, life is good.

We managed to go to the pumpkin patch the day before Halloween.  I was trying to find a pumpkin patch that was reasonably priced that had fun activities for Abbey.  There is a huge one in the area that costs $15 a person on the weekends!  I did NOT want to spend that much money, but Steve convinced me to (it's easier on my conscious to blame the hubby). So much for reasonably priced!

 It actually really was HUGE and did have lots for Abbey to do.  I'm glad we went this year. 

Who knows if the price will go up next year!

After the pumpkin patch, we went to my friend's trunk or treat at church.  It was chilly, but the kids had fun going from trunk to trunk getting candy.

(A unicorn, witch, dragon and spider man) 

I ran into my dear friend Mindy there!  We go way back from when her family served in the Dulles Branch.  I was so excited to see her.  Her family is so awesome! 

Eating chili in the church parking lot before the trunk or treating began!

Nothing beats chili on a chilly night!

Me and my sister on Halloween at a family gathering.

So that was pretty much our Halloween weekend.

This past weekend was very low key.  After a busy October, Steve is happy that all the fall activities are over.  We will be starting on the nursery soon! More to come on that.

20 wks - Half Way There!!

Wow, I can't believe I'm half way there!! 

I am filled with gratitude and love to all those who have been on this journey with us and for all your prayers.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19w6d

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a cantaloupe at 20 wks.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I think 6 lbs (down two since 17 wks & cutting sweets and watching what I eat).

Maternity Clothes: Definitely maternity pants.

Gender: BOY!

Movement: None since I thought I felt him poke at 17 wks. I've been gently poking him, hoping he would poke or kick back, but I got nothing!  The dr said I should definitely feel it by 23 wks.  I hope he starts kicking before then! 

Sleep: Getting better at sleeping on my side, but occasionally still end up on my back.  And the bathroom breaks in the middle of the night are still going strong.

What I miss: Diet Coke and sweets!

Cravings: None, yet. But I can't stand scrambled eggs.

Symptons: Stressed with work and church responsibilities.  Hoping it will all slow down soon.

Best Moment this week: Seeing baby at our 20 wk scan and knowing that he is growing on target.

Happy Fall Ya'll

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!

Just sharing some Fall pictures that I took of Abbey!

(Dress, headband & tights are from Gym.boree.  Boots are from Target. And I am not getting paid for this endorsement!)

The fall foliage is really starting to peak around here!  Can't wait to capture it all.

Weekend Round Up

We went to see Disney on Ice, Toy Story 3 on Saturday with some friends.

It was our first time to see a Disney on Ice show.  It was fun and the kids had a blast.

Here's a picture of Abbey right before we left.

(Don't pay attention to the sad looking mums.  It's been blown over a few times).



I didn't bring my good camera so I just had my little point and shoot.

Here's buzz light year to the rescue.

(This picture makes it look like the place was empty, but it was just that section that was empty).

Prior to coming to the show, I told Abbey that we were not going to be buying any toys or anything from the show and I didn't want her asking (or begging) for any toys.  At intermission, they had people coming around selling cotton candy and drinks (from Toy Story mugs).  Of course Abbey wanted one and I didn't have any cash on me at all so I told her that we couldn't get it.  She was not happy at all and was pouting. 

I felt horrible!  I hate to see her sad and there was a part of me that wanted to go out and buy her something (they accepted credit cards outside by the concessions), but I knew that I couldn't give in to her.  I had already told her from the beginning that we weren't going to buy anything and I didn't want to go back on my word. I was trying to teach her a lesson, and while it was hard for me, I knew that it was the right thing to do.  She was very sad for a while, but by the end of the show, she was perfectly fine.  I'm glad that I was able to stand by ground. 



We had good seats, thanks to my friends who were able to get discounted tickets for us.

Another fun weekend with my Abbey and my friends!

18w6d - Gestational Diabetes

So, do I actually have Gestational Diabetes??  That was my question to the Endorinologist.

He said I have everything working against me (weight, PCOS, etc) and it will only get worst as the pregnancy continues.  He wants me to monitor my sugar levels for the next two weeks and return to see him.

I have to prick my finger four times a day (once in the morning when I get up, and one hour after every meal). I also have to test my urine every morning for ketones (they are produced in the body when fats, rather than glucose are used to produce energy.  It is harmful to the body if ketones are allowed to accumulate).  So far my numbers have been good so I am hoping to maintain it.  I really have been watching what I eat and have cut out all the sweets.  That's been hard, especially since I have such a sweet tooth and all those jars of apple pie we just canned!  But I have to do what's best for the baby. 

I have to go to a two hour Gestational Diabetes class next week and meet with the nutrionist.  I also have an appt with the high risk dr for our 20 wk scan (even though I'll only be a little over 19 wks).  I can't wait to see how much baby has grown!  I can't feel him move yet, but we were listening to his heart beat at home with our little doppler and all of a sudden we could hear him kick the doppler.  It was very cute!

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!