Quinn's 16 month stats

We had Quinn's 16 month well visit with our pediatrician last week.  Our doctor's office does well child visits at 16 and 20 months during the baby's second year, unlike many offices that do them at 15 and 18 months.

At 16 months, Quinn is:

-22lbs, 2.5 oz (25-30%)
-31 1/2 inches long (65-70%)
-48cm head circumference (90-92%)

She's a healthy, growing girl.  No issues whatsoever at her appointment.  Dr. R asked us if she said at least 15-20 words and when we told him it was more like 50-100, he was shocked.  :)  The girl talks non-stop.  Tyson was no where near this verbal at the same age.  We have a smarty pants on our hands!

She did have to get three shots (including a flu shot).  She took the first two like a champ, but by the third, she was NOT happy.  She did like the puppy band-aids she got though.

9 Month Stats

Tyson had his 9 month well baby visit with Dr. R today and he's doing great!

He weighs 19 lbs, 13 oz (25th percentile)
He's 29 inches long (75th percentile)
and I' can't remember his head circumference, but it's in the 50th percentile.

Grow baby, grow!

Dr. R said he's doing great and we can move him up to 3 solids meals per day if he likes to eat (and he does!). He also said we can start offering him meats, dairy (not milk) and more seasonings and spices if he likes them.

All of a sudden, Tyson is doing great with finger foods. I was worried that he was going to be eating purees forever. He picks up Cheerios and actually gets most of them in his mouth. I'd really like to get away from baby foods, so I'm going to start offering him more table foods to gum and chew.

6 Month Stats!

Our sweet little boy will be 6 months old tomorrow! He had his well baby check at the pediatrician today and he's a happy and healthy boy. 6 month stats:

Weight: 16 lbs even (25%)
Height: 26 1/4 inches (50%)

We got the go-ahead to start solids, so we'll be giving him oatmeal cereal tomorrow. We're going to skip the rice and go straight to oatmeal. After cereal, Dr. R suggested we move on to yellow and green veggies and then fruits. I'm excited to start this new adventure!

Lots of photos to come tomorrow. :)

4 Month Stats

Tyson had his 4 month checkup and shots on Tuesday. His current stats:

13 lbs, 7 oz (50th percentile)
25 inches long (50th percentile)
I don't remember his head circumference, but that was also 50th percentile.

All around, we have a perfectly average size baby. :) Dr. R was very impressed with what a happy baby we have! Tyson smiled at him almost the entire time he did the exam. Of course he hated his shots, but he was a little rockstar and fell asleep as soon as we got back to the car.

Last Doctor's Appointment

Yesterday was my last doctor's appointment. I am a full 2 cm dilated and we made the choice to go ahead with the induction. We are being induced Wednesday morning at 6am. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I'll go into labor on my own, but we're down to just a bit over 24 hours, so I'm not sure how realistic that is at this point. Anything is possible, I guess.

I also started my maternity leave yesterday by running tons of errands, but I got a lot accomplished and hopefully I can do the same for today. We spent last evening taking maternity photos with our baby photographer, Kristi Hibbetts. She is actually a former high school classmate of Ryan's and I can't wait to share the photos with everyone.

Wish us luck for Wednesday!

Induction?

At my regular doctor's appointment yesterday, I found out that I have made no further progress. Still at 80% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated. I am still having cramping and irregular contractions, which are all good signs. I told Dr. D this information and she offered to induce me next Wednesday, May 6 if Baby does not arrive on his own before then. She did say that I need to make some more progress before she will schedule me.

What a tough call. Ryan says go for it, my coworkers (that are already Moms) say go for it, but I'm struggling with the decision, but I've made a list of pros and cons. So far, the pros seem to outnumber the cons, but I can't help but think is scheduling my child's birth like scheduling a haircut? Am I rushing him when he's not ready? Am I setting myself up for a failed induction ending in a c-section? Or, will we feel better about the process knowing when it will happen, when I will start my maternity leave (Monday) and that the guessing game of what labor symptom is this will stop.

The good news is that everything looks good. No high blood pressure, no protein in my urine, baby movement is good, I'm full-term and he's growing right on track now.

Dr. D is already of the mindset that she does not allow her patients to go much past 40 weeks in their pregnancy. It's a risk to the mom, baby and the placenta, so she will induce me by 41 weeks at the absolute latest.

We'll let you know what we decide next Monday.

37 Weeks!

We are at full-term! Baby Holt is now the size of a watermelon. Somehow that makes me sad to know there is something the size of a watermelon growing in my uterus.



"At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life."

My body is making some progress getting ready for this little guy to make his arrival and Dr. D seems to think I could go into labor at any time. I am 80% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated. She even joked to me at my appointment on Monday that she would see me next Monday, if not before then. She also let me know that she's on call this weekend, just in case. Well, it's already Friday and no such luck yet.

Ryan officially installed the car seat this week and I took it yesterday to get it inspected at the police department. We are ready to bring him home from the hospital! I also started packing my bag and except for a few things I use daily, it's ready to go.

The belly at 37 weeks:

32 weeks with an Irritable Uterus

Our home laptop finally died, so I haven't had a chance to update in a while. I'm nearly 33 weeks now. At my regular 32 week appointment last week, I talked to my doctor about all of the Braxton Hicks contractions I was experiencing. It turns out that some of them weren't just Braxton Hicks, I was having real contractions that caused my cervix to dilate and efface. Not great news at 32 weeks. Immediately following my appointment, my doctor sent me to the hospital to be monitored for a few hours. I was honestly freaked out. Ryan hadn't been coming to my appointments lately since they had been rather uneventful, so he could tell that I was scared when I called him to come and sit with me in the hospital (again!). Luckily, Baby was moving just fine and I had only had a few small contractions on the monitors, so Dr. D released me to go back to work and told me that she wanted to start seeing me weekly. I'm on instructions to make sure I drink enough water everyday and to rest and relax when I can.

I had my 33 week appointment yesterday and luckily I haven't had any further progress with the preterm labor, but I was still having loads of contractions daily. She put me on a generic of Procardia, a blood pressure medicine that is often prescribed to control preterm labor contractions. She also diagnosed me with an irritable uterus. Hopefully the meds will control the contractions, otherwise, the next option is bed rest. If all goes well, I'll be on the medication until 36 weeks and then he's welcome to join the world anytime after that! I go back to see Dr. D next Monday, so please keep us in your prayers.

Good news is that baby is doing fine and he seems to be head down. He's measuring right on track and still moving a lot every day. He just needs to stay in for at least a few more weeks!

29 Weeks and a Nursery Sneak Peek!

From Weeks 29-32, Baby Holt is the size of a squash. At least it's a cute-looking squash!



"Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments."

I found out last week that I passed my 3 hour glucose test with flying colors! In fact, my last result was below the normal range, but all is well. Baby is moving around like crazy. We did have another little scare last week. I had some abdominal cramping all afternoon at work and it was painful. After a few hours, I finally called the doctor's office. Since they couldn't get me in to see my doctor that day, they sent me to the hospital to labor & delivery. I spent 3 hours hooked up to a fetal monitor. They recorded a few minor contractions, but nothing major, so they sent me home.

The baby furniture arrived this week and we picked it up on Saturday evening. Thanks again Mom & Dad! Since I'm still working on refinishing the armoire, there isn't enough room in the nursery to set up the crib yet. But, Ryan surprised me on Sunday by assembling the dresser/changing table. It's not the greatest picture since I took it with my Blackberry, but here you go:

3 Hour Glucose Test

I went in bright and early to the lab at my hospital to take the 3 hour glucose test after fasting the night before. I had nothing to eat or drink after 8:30pm. They drew my blood initially and made me drink 12 oz of a drink that tasted like they just melted several popsicles (super sweet!). I then got my blood drawn once per hour for the next three hours. I felt progressively worse (tired and nauseated) with every blood draw and I have struggled all day. At least it's over and now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I passed!

I had a bit of a scare on Friday night. Baby Holt is over 28 weeks old now and I'm supposed to feel regular movements and keep track of them a few times a day. He's usually pretty active in the evenings, especially when I am relaxed. After laying on the couch and watching some tv on Friday night (yes, my life is that exciting!), I noticed that I didn't feel him moving. Whenever that happens, I'm supposed to drink something sweet, like orange juice and then go lie down and rest and start counting his movements.

He's usually a pretty active baby, so I felt 10 movements in about a half hour, but they weren't regular movements for me. I was completely freaked out and ready to head to the hospital. My heart was beating fast and I could hardly catch my breath because I was so worried. Eventually as I relaxed and Ryan turned on the tv, baby started moving regularly again...thank goodness! Ryan was so sweet through the entire thing. He cleaned up the kitchen and asked me repeatedly if I wanted to go to the hospital. I'm glad I waited, but I will definitely be talking to the doctor about it at my next visit.

28 Weeks with Good and Bad News

I'm 28 Weeks today. Baby is still the size of an eggplant, or so they say. What it does mean is that Baby Holt should be making his debut in 12 weeks (give or take a few). That also means that I have a to-do list a mile long, but I still have time to get it done!

Good news first...We ordered the furniture for Baby Holt today courtesy of my parents. Thanks so much guys! We are just overwhelmed and so grateful for their generosity. Now, I just can't wait for it to arrive and get set up in Baby's room. It should be here in about a week! Ryan and I are planning to order the crib mattress and bedding sometime in early March, so his room will quickly start to look like a place where he can actually sleep.

The bad news...I found out yesterday afternoon that failed my 1 hour glucose test. My blood sugar was supposed to be 140 or below and it was 152. I have to go in asap to take the 3 hour fasting glucose test. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I pass. Not that having Gestational Diabetes would be the end of the world, but I'm hoping to stay healthy.

27 Weeks

Baby Holt is still growing and I'm officially in the 3rd Trimester! I had my 28 week appointment on Monday (yes, I'm a little behind in the 27 week update!) and everything is looking good. The doctor got a better look at the last ultrasound detailed report and it doesn't appear that we will need to have another ultrasound yet. They evidently got the photos they needed of the cord insertion and all else looks good with baby!

We started our childbirth classes a few weeks ago and they're not as bad as Ryan expected them to be. We've learned a lot about the stages of labor and when to know if it's really time to go to the hospital. All I can say is that I'm pretty sure I will be getting an epidural at some point! Ryan wants me to get one as soon as possible so he doesn't have to listen to me whine about the pain. We'll see.

For all of those that have been asking, we don't have a name for this baby yet. In fact, we're not even close. Choosing a name is much harder than I thought it would be and not as fun either! I am serious when I say that we will have to decide on a name when they are forcing me out of the hospital. Even in the off chance that we do decide on a name prior to Baby Holt's arrival, you're all going to have to wait until he is here to find out what we decide.

My belly at 27 weeks:

23 and 24 Weeks and Viability Day!

I've been kind of bad at updating lately. I guess not having any new fruits the past 2 weeks have messed me up!

At 24 weeks, the baby is considered viable outside of the womb and has a 40-70% chance of survival. Obviously, a baby that small would require a lot of medical attention for a long while, but at least he would have a fighting chance of survival.

We had our second ultrasound on January 19 and it is confirmed that we are having a boy! Everything looks good, but I will have to have another ultrasound at some point because they still could not get great photos of the attachment of the cord to the placenta. Baby is doing well, but he's a little on the small side for now. He weighed 1 lb. 5 oz. at the second ultrasound and he's in the 38th percentile for growth. His heartrate was 156 beats per minute. The doctor said everything else looks great! I only have one more 4 week appointment and then I start going every 2 weeks. That means I'm quickly nearing the end!

In other news, Ryan finally felt the baby kick! Our little guy is moving around so much that he kept me from falling asleep last night. His little kicks are getting stronger and stronger almost by the day.

I did not take a 24 week photo, but here is my belly at 23 weeks:

Week 19

Baby Holt is the size of a mango. Doesn't that sound cuter and sweeter than a sweet potato or an onion?



"Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature."

We had our BIG ultrasound yesterday and we have a healthy baby! Everything is looking good and baby's growth is right on schedule. Baby Holt currently weighs a whopping 11 ounces! We do have to go for a follow up ultrasound on January 19. We have a wiggly baby and the ultrasound tech was unable to get good photos of the heart chambers the the lip and nose area.

Much to the dismay of our families, we've decided to keep the sex (and the nursery!) under wraps until the baby is born. Sorry Mom and Dad and Phil and Brenda! However, it's only 20 weeks to wait to find out what your grandchild will be.

16 Weeks and My 3rd Appointment

I have been a bad blogger lately. Ever since we returned from our vacation, I feel like time is flying. We only had three days of work and then it was the long Thanksgiving weekend. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws at their home and then spent the rest of the weekend finishing Ryan's foyer project and then decorating our house for Christmas! We were so busy I forgot to do my 16 week update and now I'm almost 17 weeks!

Anyway, here goes! At 16 weeks, Baby Holt is about the size of an avocado.

"Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender."

It blows me away that Baby can hear us now. I just can't wait to feel him or her move. It can happen any day now!

I'm feeling great! My energy is back, I'm not having any bouts of sickness and I have very few food aversions. The only things I still cannot stomach are coffee and soda. I guess neither of those are bad things!

I am quickly growing out of my clothes. I still only have 2 pairs of work maternity pants and very few maternity shirts. Ryan doesn't want me to spend any money, but it is soon to be inevitable. I am going to need new clothes soon!

People that know I am pregnant can tell that I'm showing, but I haven't received any comments from strangers yet. Most people that find out I'm nearly 17 weeks pregnant don't believe me! It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm ready to show for real! :)

My third appointment was today. Ryan couldn't make it because he had meetings at work, but I got to hear Baby's heartrate (166 bpm) and had my general checkup with the doc. Everything is looking good and measuring right on track. I also had the AFP testing done today to see if Baby has any developmental disabilities like spina bifida or Downs.

The best part of today's appointment---the BIG ultrasound is scheduled! So, we'll know the baby's sex right before Christmas. The question is whether we will share the news with our families when we find out or wait to reveal it to them on Christmas Day. Hrmmm.... For what it's worth, I'm convinced that we are having a girl. We'll see if my guess is right in about 2.5 weeks!

My 16 week photo:

We Have a Heartbeat!

My second doctor's appointment was today and we got to hear Baby Holt's heartbeat. He or she has a strong one at 176 bpm! Other than that, the appointment was pretty uneventful. Weight, urine sample, blood pressure and that's about it.

According to the old wives' tales, a fast heartbeat means that it's a girl. I guess we shall see! :)

First Appointment

My first appointment was yesterday and Ryan went with me. The entire appointment was with the nurse practitioner and she went through my symptoms, family and medical history and answered all of my questions. She gave us a ton of information to look through and about 35 days' worth of free prenatal vitamin samples.

She examined my uterus and found that I'm right where I should be (8-9 weeks). She gave me a due date of May 16, but I think I'll keep the May 14 day. I've kind of grown attached to it. Besides, that could change drastically throughout the pregnancy.

They took about 4 vials of blood to test me for everything and anything and 2 urine samples. I'll be going to the doctor once a month for a while. At the next appointment, we're supposed to hear the heartbeat!