I had a follow up OB appt today and the doctor said our little girl looks great and is the perfect size for how many weeks I am (21 weeks). All the tests came back normal from last appt. I gained 6 pounds since the last appt (4 weeks). Ahh, I was a little freaked out. The doctor laughed at me and said I should gain 15-20 pounds in my second trimester so I am doing good and not to worry. She said the weight gain stops or slows way down in the third trimester. Overall everything is good and my belly grows more every day (ha ha). I better learn to love it because she is just growing more everyday and there isnt much I can do about it. People at work are finally noticing my belly a little more too. Very interesting to watch all these changes before my own eyes.

July 14th, 2008

Well today was a special day, its my little brothers birthday and the first day I can actually say I know for sure I felt our little girl moving in my belly. It's crazy because I have felt twinges and butterflies every now and again before now... but today was different. I felt her moving all day and it was amazing. I am so excited and cant wait to feel it more everyday.

July 22nd, 2008 (25 weeks)

Well today was my monthly follow up appointment. Everything went great, I had to do the glucose tolerance test this morning. The orange drink isnt too terrible I guess but I'm glad its done. It gave my baby girl a sugar rush I think. She was moving all around, I thought she would get tired since she moved a lot this morning but she's been pretty active today. I gained 4 and a half pounds since last appt... the doctor was right about the second trimester including the most weight gain. I just hope it slows down soon because I really want to stay within the 25-30 pound overall weight gain. The doctor says Im fine and right on track so I have to just do the best I can. My belly is measuring 27 centimeters but the dr says measuring is inaccurate and I am within normal range so thats good. Rylee's heart rate was in the 150's which seems to be consistent for her. They also want to do a follow up ultrasound on Thursday because last ultrasound I had didnt give them good enough measurements on the heart and umbilical cord because our little girl was too small at the time. I am excited that we get to view her again, I feel so much better now that I can feel her move around a lot. Well I'll check back after the ultrasound appt.

Thursday July 24, 2008 (25 weeks 4 days)

Well today we had our ultrasound appt to follow up on our little one's growth. She weighed in at 1 lb 11 oz. so that was great to know. She was moving around and sucking her thumb. We watched her move her hands and feet around and it was so amazing to see the details. She is definetly a growing girl. Her head was down so that explains why my bladder always feels like something is pressing on it. She seemed to be doing good (as far as I could tell).

Well we left the ultrasound appt and I get a call about 10-15 minutes later from my doctor. I instantly became worried because doctors dont just call to chat and she has never called me before. She said everything looked great but Sue the ultrasound tech was measuring the left ventricle of Rylee's brain at 1.1cm and the normal range is 1cm or less at this age. So it is 1 mm larger than its supposed to be if the measurements are accurate. The doctor went on to tell me she thinks everything will be fine but she wants me to have a level 2 ultrasound to double check the measurements. So needless to say I have been a nervous wreck. So now I have to wait for her nurse to call me this morning so we can set up a appt with Perinatal care that specializes in this kind of thing. So please pray everything is ok with my baby girl. I'll check back when I know more.

Friday July 25th, 2008

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. It has only been 24 hours but it seems like weeks.

We just got back from our level 2 ultrasound and the tech was great. I was expecting her to tell us nothing since they really aren't supposed to. But she measured the ventricles again and today they are measuring completely normal (thank god). She said either the ultrasound measurements yesterday were inaccurate or there was extra fluid because it was getting ready to drain. She said both happen but she see's no reason for me to be concerned about our baby girl's brain. I was about to burst into tears, I know its not official until the doctor tells me and the ultrasound gets reviewed by a specialist but she made me feel sooo much better. She said if there was anything REALLY wrong they would have picked it up at my first trimester screening at 12 weeks.

I am exhausted from being worried, I try not to be but I just couldnt help it. Up until this point every test they ran has been fantastic so it really freaked me out yesterday when the dr called me to give me the news on the ventricle. So I can rest better this weekend knowing everything is going to be fine with our baby girl. She was moving around the whole ultrasound and the tech gave us some good pictures of her face. The tech said she looked really healthy and most baby's she see's at 25 weeks look really boney but Rylee looks great. All this just makes me that much more thankful for my baby girl.

What don't kill us only makes us stronger right ladies? Wow... I am so glad that is done.

August 11th, 2008

Today was our follow up appointment. All the tests came back great. The ultrasound and glucose tolerance test were both completely normal. Rylee's heartrate was in the 150's as usual so that was wonderful. I love hearing her heart beat, that is my favorite part. The doctor says all seems great and there is no concerns. I am going to start going to the doctor every 2 weeks as of next appointment. That means we are getting closer, yeah!

August 25th, 2008- 30 weeks today

Well today we are 30 weeks. Yeah! Its crazy to think in 10 more weeks our baby girl will be here. I am so excited. I called the doctor this morning because I have been having a lot of pubic bone/pelvic pain. I figured I should call just to make sure its normal. I have been having it for about a month but its gotten worse. I hurts to put my pants on, roll over in bed, walk, ect. The nurse said because everything is loosening and her head is so low its causing me pain. She said the baby is fine but I need to rest as much as possible and avoid doing things that hurt (ha ha). I cant avoid walking, putting on clothes or rolling over in bed. I have been icing it and taking Tylenol but neither do much good. The nurse suggested I try a cradle (support thing for my belly) and moist heat. Hopefully that will help. I just wanted to make sure the baby would be ok and the nurse said she will be fine. I'll just have to deal with the pains if nothing helps. Its the countdown now right...yeah.

August 31st, 2008 (My 26th Birthday and Rylee is 31 weeks)

Well we went to Flagstaff to get away and do something different, we had a really nice time. I cant believe our little girl will be here in 9 weeks. She is getting stronger and moving more by the day (or so it seems).

September 2nd, 2008

Well tonight was our first lamaze class, it was very interesting. We go for the next 2 Tuesdays for 3 hours each session. It was kinda fun to see all the other pregnant ladies. It crazy how different our bumps are. I am looking forward to next week.

We took pregnancy pictures at 30 weeks and I got them back today (yeah). I will post a couple. =)

September 4th, 2008 (31 weeks 4 days)

Today was my routine follow up OB appt. All went well, everything is progressing as it should. I've only gained 2 pounds since last appt, thank goodness the weight gain has slowed down. Now I will start going every 2 weeks. Rylee's heart rate was 152 which is fantastic. The doctor was listening to her from a different angle and it sounded like a horse galloping in the doppler (ha ha). The doctor talked to me about pre term labor warning signs but she said she isnt concerned that Rylee will come early. She said as with all babies they would stop the contractions if they started before 35 weeks but after that she would just let nature take care of itself. That was good to know because every doctor is different. =)