I can't believe that I am 37 weeks today!!!
As I reflect on my pregnancy this
far, there is a lot to think about. It has been somewhat of a crazy
journey, but I am so excited and ready for the arrival of baby Lindahl!!!
Pregnancy started out pretty easy for
me! I didn't have morning sickness, and never felt "sick".
I just had the normal feelings of being tired and very hungry! I
actually gained half of my added weight during the first trimester...oops!
I didn't really crave anything besides cheese, but I don't know if that
really counts because I have always loved to eat cheese. I did, however,
not like coffee or even the smell of it, which is unusual for me. I also
did not like the smell of our fireplace, and John was sad about that since we
loved having fires in it. It was very noticeable when I entered the
second trimester because all of a sudden I wasn't as tired or as hungry as I
used to be, and the smells of coffee and the fireplace didn't really bother me
anymore.
Shortly into my second trimester, I
was tested for preeclampsia. I was told not to worry and that I probably didn't
have it, but they needed to take every precaution-I am grateful for that...I
was tested because I gained 10 pounds in one month, had some protein in my
urine, and felt a strange "twitching sensation" on the right side of
my ribs. Thankfully, after collecting all of my urine in a jug for 24
hours, I found out that I didn't have preeclampsia:). Then towards the
end of my second trimester, I got pretty sick. I must have caught some
virus from a student at school. Basically, I was sick 8 times throughout
the night! Yuck! I laid in
bed all day and was starting to feel better, so I decided to get some fresh air
outside and sit with John as he ate dinner when I got sick again, so I called
the doctor. I went to the hospital and got an IV with fluids and medicine.
I was told that I was dehydrated and was having some contractions-good
thing I went in! I felt much better after that!
At 28 weeks, I was diagnosed with
gestational diabetes. I was told I
needed to be on a special diet to try to control the diabetes. I had to
test my sugar four times a day, and count my carbs at every meal/snack.
Dang was this going to be hard I thought!!! And it was, but I am
getting through it. All those who know me know I am such a dessert and
sweet lover, so passing up cakes, cookies, special coffee drinks, cereal, lots
of fruit, and everything else that I love was challenging. Now as I have
been testing myself for about two months, the diet and testing is easier, and I
am used to it. I must say that I probably have prevented myself from
gaining even more weight since I am not allowed to eat anything and everything
I want. That is the major plus. (Although, I should mention that I do get to eat some desserts. I get to eat vanilla ice-cream every night before I go to bed... the dietician said it lowers my sugars for the morning, so that is a fun treat to look forward to each day!)
I also got to have a 3D ultrasound of
the baby. Oh my, does it ever look like John when he was a baby! (I want to
wait to post the ultra sound pic when baby is born to see how much they look or
don’t look alike). It is so neat to have an idea of what this
"thing" looks like that I have been creating, protecting, loving, etc. the past nine
months. It is crazy how much I already worry and think about
him. If my glucose numbers are high or my ketones (yes, I also have to
test my urine every morning for ketones too), get out of range, I panic and
worry about the little guy. I already want to do everything and anything
I can to keep him healthy and safe. I’m sure that will only get worse.
Well, this journey is coming to an end. I have around 3 weeks left before I am a mom! I sure hope and pray that my labor goes
okay! I just really hope for a healthy baby in the end. I
can't wait to hold and meet baby Lindahl. Soon…VERY SOON!
At 36 weeks-Getting Big!
This summer...
-We went to California and twice up to the UP!
-I have been watching my nieces for a few hours in the mornings (just finished yesterday).
-John is still working at CTC.
-John has been working hard on completing the deck-hopefully before baby comes!
-We are trying to go on many dates before the baby comes...we even went to a Millennium Park concert last Wed. and it was nearly 90 degrees! -Yikes! It was fun to see my feet start to swell in that humidity: ) -not literally fun.
-We have been working hard on the nursery, and it is almost ready! (Pics to come later.)
- We have enjoyed our fire pit outside (when its not too hot!)
We are counting down the weeks!
-We took a hospital tour today.
-We have a hospital bag packed and ready to go.
