estellablu's profile

estellablu
	Age: 24 Country: Province/region: City: Partner: Christopher, my darling. Children: Yes, 1 Pregnant: Not anymore Due date: 28 Nov ,2007 Occupation: Marketing Coordinator
	Online: 16 days ago. Last updated: 115 days ago. Member since: 451 days
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Brody has entered this world!

Born November 28th, 2007 at 11:16 am by c-section

Weighed a whopping 10 lbs 4 oz!

Birth story up under his profile.

:: Brody's first pic taken at 8 weeks ::

:: Before Pregnancy :: ( i'm in the middle )

:: The Happy Momma-to-Be! ::

:: Christopher & I ::

The Happy & Excited Couple!

Hello all!! I'm Danielle and I'm 24 years old (was 23 when i found out I was pregnant). Me and the father (Christopher) are super excited...this will be out first baby! We've been together off and on for 7 years now....so this is just the next chapter in our lives!

I found out I was pregnant on March 24th, 2007. I actually had this "feeling" that i was pregnant about a week earlier, but the home pregnancy tests kept coming back negative....I wasn't late for my period or anything, but somehow, i just "knew". I even went to the doctor March 15th and did a test with them and it said Negative. Deep down inside, I still felt like i was pregant. It was just one of those instinctive feelings......, so i waited one more week (after my period was a week late) and took another home pregancy test and "bada bing" - two lines showed up on the strip! I just KNEW i was pregnant! I think women who are very in tune with their bodies just know when something within them changes. And i definatley could tell. Christopher was in the shower when i told him. I walked right into the bathroom, showed him the test and said "I told you I was pregnant". That was such an emotional and great day for us both!

Due Date: November 29th, 2007 *although, Brody has been measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule for the past few months* So we shall see when he actually debuts into this world!

We both can't wait until this little munchkin arrives!! : -)

xoxo

Danielle & Baby Brody

:::Pregnancy Journal:::

Week 16 - I just got back from vacation last night and boy am I tired! The plane rides were the worst! It's not comfortable flying when you're pregnant - at least that's my opinion!

The vacation was fun, but i got paranoid while on it. Before i left, i felt the baby move here and there and was becoming pretty regular, but then i noticed the movements stopped. I forgot to bring my fetal heart doppler with me so i couldn't even listen to the baby while away. I was so anxious to get home and just listen to that heartbeat! I want to start getting into a better eating habit and start to exercise often! My schedule is just so busy that i put all that off and i'm always running from here to there. I know it's not an excuse but i definatley need to start making sure that my belly is the only thing growing throughout this pregnancy! I'm so scared of gaining too much weight. I have a baby appointment next week, but i don't think i get to do the ultrasound (sad face). I haven't had an ultrasound since 8 weeks and i'm so anxious to see my little munchkin again! I have already scheduled a gender determination at a local place that does ultrasounds. It's actually a reasonable price - only $59 bucks to get the gender determination! They also do 3D/4D scans but i want to wait until i'm at least 30 weeks to get one of those done so i can really see the baby well! Wednesday i'll be at 17 weeks! It's moving right along (but not fast enough!)

Week 17 - Today I am in week 17!! The week long vacation that i just finished up made week 16 fly by! Usually i am already counting down the days until i hit the next week! I've noticed lately that i don't have much of an appetite. When i do eat, i can't eat as much as I used to. I hardly finish a meal. I don't like to eat alot of heavy and filling things either....i like eating a bowl of cereal for dinner or lunch sometimes. I LOVE cereal! Especially Capt'n Crunch Peanut Butter Balls and Frosted Mini Wheats! Yumm! The baby is doing well. I still listen to the heart beat almost every night when i get home from work. Boy, the little munchkin moves around alot! I almost have to chase the little one around to hear the heartbeat for more than a few seconds! Christopher is getting more and more excited as my belly grows. He didn't go to Minnesota with me and my family and said that he noticed my belly grew a little bit since he saw me a week ago! He especially can't wait until he can feel the baby moving from the outside of my tummy! I can't wait either! Right now it just feels squirmy and fluttery from the inside! I also just ordered "Belli Elasticity Oil" this morning! Apparently many celebrities and other women swear by this stuff and say it works wonders! I know stretch marks are hereditary in some people, but i've heard that it makes a big difference! I definately don't want stretch marks all over! ICKKY!

June 26th, 2007 (one day shy of 18 weeks) - today i went to my monthly doctor appointment. This pregnancy is so healthy and perfect so far...the baby and me are both very healthy. Christopher and I asked about doing a Water Birth and unfortunately the hospital and office I go to currently doesn't offer that as a birthing option. I'm disappointed. The only way for me to do a water birth is to change doctor offices. I don't know what to do. I just really want to do a water birth. Seems so much more less stressful than being in a bed hooked up to IV's and machines! laying in a warm tub of water is so much more relaxing and also helps stretch the areas down there! Water is also a natural pain reducer. The baby was very active this morning too! While listening to the heart beat at the doctor this morning, the little one kept on kicking and moving! So sweet! I scheduled an ultrasound for the next appointment! I can't wait! I hope that the baby is cooperative and awake so we can find out the gender too!! I'm so excited! Most importantly i just want to see the baby and see that everything is developing the way it should be!

Week 18 - I am 18 weeks today! I am so happy to be getting closer and closer to the halfway mark! I'm counting down the days until July 24th so that i can see my baby on the ultrasound at my next doctor appointment! Can't wait!

19 weeks & 1 day - week 19, finally! One more week to go and i'll "officially" be half way through! Christopher felt the little one move from the outside of my tummy for the first time last night! A great 4th of July present for him!! He was excited and said it felt like i had gas. haha :-) two and a half more weeks until our ultrasound! Can't wait!!!!

Week 20 - today (July 11th, 2007) i am officially HALF WAY THROUGH this pregnancy! It can't come soon enough though! i'm so anxious to hold this sweet baby in my arms!! I'm definatley lucky to be able to feel he/she move inside me.....i'm already creating a special bond!!! Christopher FINALLY told his dad last night that we were expecting. He was sooo worried to tell his dad for some reason....i guess he didn't know how he would react. We aren't married and maybe that's why. Being together for 7 years off and on is practically like marriage anyways! He said his dad took it well. Hurry up July 24th! That is ultrasound day! Ohhh and my two lovely friends, Vickie & Kate are both are helping me plan my baby shower. We decided last night and today when and where we would have it. I told them from the get-go that i didn't want it to be a surprise and I want to be included in the planning! Vickie is hosting it at her place and Kate is the organizer! I love them both so much!! They are great friends! 20 weeks down, 20 more to

go..................

21 Weeks & 1 Day - So my BIG ultrasound day has moved up one day to Monday, July 23rd! I'm so excited! 24 hours sooner makes a BIG difference when you've been waiting so patiently for SOO long! Hooray! ::::::: I've been noticing that the baby is kicking so much stronger these days. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't feel this little sweetheart kick and flip around. Last night, i was listening to the heartbeat w/my fetal heart monitor at home and i rested the montior on my belly. All of a sudden i hear the kick through the monitor and the monitor actually jumped on my tummy. I guess the baby was telling me "Mom, get this thing off me!" I feel great in my pregnancy so far *knock on wood*. Things have been going great. The only thing I really dislike is the part of my body constantly growing! I feel like i gain weight or look bigger everyday! I've been speed walking and trying to get extra callories burned when i can.

21 Weeks & 5 days - Today was the BIG day!! Christopher and I found out we are having a baby BOY!! :-) It was so amazing seeing him on the ultrasound screen...moving around. The u/s technician was doing all the routine anatomy measurements of the baby and then she said "Would you guys like to know the gender?" and i instantly said "YES". She said 'Well, i didn't know what it was until JUST NOW! There is definately No mistaking this little one for a boy!" and then she of course showed us his goods! She was right - he's ALL Boy! We both just stared in awe at the screen. I looked over at Christopher and he was all smiles! The baby also measured at 1 lb. 4 oz! He's in the 94th percentile for his age! I guess they will monitor his size for awhile and if he just seems to keep growing, then my due date is probably off (which is fine with me! the sooner, the better!) But the doctor also said that he could have had a growth spurt and he may eventually even out as time passes....but she also mentioned that i will probably get another ultrasound to check - which is also completely FINE WITH ME!!!! My mom and little sister came with us to the ultrasound too. It was nice to have them there with me. My little sister, Ashlee, was looking forward to this! She is only 15 years old and for her to get up at 7:30 in the morning during the summer is ALOT for a teenager! I barely slept a wink last night. I kept on tossing and turning and i kept on having dreams of babies. I guess i was just so anxious to get to my appointment. Of course, i scheduled it first thing in the morning so that I didn't have to wait around all day in excitement! Now the hard part is to find the perfect name! But the fun part begins too - - - SHOPPING!

Christopher sent me this note today while I was at work....it was after we found out we were having a healthy baby BOY :

My day has been wonderful. Been smiling all day long. We both blessed each other with a healthy little munchkin! Today has been one of the happiest days of my life. I truly feel blessed. I love you...

22 Weeks & 3 days - So i had my one-hour Gluclose test on Thursday (July 26). Usually mother's don't go in for these until about 26-28 weeks, but since my little man weighed in above what he should be weighing, the doctor said she wanted me to go in an get it done now because a bigger baby is an early sign of gestational diabetes. I pretty much failed the one-hour test and now have to go in for the three-hour Glucose test. I'm sad. I don't want to be unhealthy. Christopher assures me it's nothing that i should worry about and even if i do have Gestational Diabetes that it's not a big deal and it'll go away once i'm not pregnant anymore. The three-hour test is like the one hour test, but they take more blood and take it every hour for three hours to monitor the sugar levels. ugh, i'm NOT looking forward to this, but I will do whatever I need to do. Tthis week has just been really hectic. I found out my cousin in died...i had to get my braces tightened (OUCH!) so my mouth has been aching for a few days...and today i get a phone call from my mom that my grandma is in the hospital. I'm glad this week is over and it's the weekend. Besides that, my little prince is doing great! I think he's been tired lately....maybe the stress that i've been going through has some sort of affect on him...i'm not sure but he's good....still kickin away and letting me know that he's ok!

July 31, 2007 (one day shy of 23 weeks) - Yesterday was HORRIBLE! I had to do the 3 HOUR Glucola Blood test. Ugh, I hope no one has to go through it. Basically, it was just like the 1 hour one I had to do, but they took my blood THREE more times over the course of 2 additional hours. My arm is about to fall off...they poked me in the same arm and the same SPOT each time! OWwww!

24 weeks & 2 Days - So my blood test came back as "borderline" and my doctor said that i'll most likely have to repeat the test at 28 weeks. UGHHH!! That was pure hell...and my arms are just finally healed from the bruises. Oh well. I want to make sure i'm healthy so my baby boy is healthy. Christopher and I are still stuck on boy names. We go back on forth. We like the name "BRODY" but we are not 100% positive that's what we will name him yet. I think the name "ADRIEN" that we originally like is out the door. Baby is kicking alot harder and when i'm laying or sitting down, i can see my belly move and twitch when he's moving around. It's so neat. Christopher finally got to catch one of the movements from outside the belly. I can't believe that i'm almost done with my 2nd trimester and will soon be moving onto the 3rd! It's crazy!! I guess as much as I feel like he can't come soon enough, time sure has gone by. I keep myself pretty busy which helps too. The heat lately has been horrendous. It wouldn't be so bad if the humidity wasn't so bad. Good thing I am priveledged with having central air conditioning at work and at home....or else i'd melt away! My mom loaded me up with TONS of boy clothes and other things. I guess she went on a shopping spree once we found out we were having a boy. She's so funny. This is her first grandchild so i know she will spoil him rotten! She was so happy that i was having a boy. I guess she said they are easier to take care of and if i would have had a girl first, i may have re-thought about having more kids later!! haha, i can see where she is coming from. Me and my sister (her first and second babies) weren't always the most pleasant! Eriq (my brother and the youngest) was so much easier for her. Well i will probably post up some new photos soon of my ever-expanding belly. I swear, sometimes it feels like my belly is literally stretching before my eyes.

25 weeks - I think my belly has grown since week 24. I go to school one night per week and one lady made a comment to me that it looks like my belly grew since the last week she saw me. She said it's rounding out. I definately feel like it's growing....i get these stretching pains sometimes....i use my belly oil like crazy because i've been noticing some tiny stetch marks peeking out.....ahhh!!! Christopher called them "love marks"....he's so cute! Every day is sends me a text message while i'm at work stating he hopes "his two pumpkins have a great day". I know he's super excited for this baby boy to arrive! The other day, he went through all the baby clothes we bought and received and hung them all up, folded them, and organized them. He's going to be such an awesome dad! I'm so glad that i have him in my life. Some days i wish he'd be more supportive and do things for me like back rubs out of the blue, etc....but then I hear stories about other women who don't have any guy in their lives and are going through the pregnancy alone and i think that I am super lucky to have such a fantastic man in my life. Baby boy still doesn't have a name yet....i think i've come to a brain block when it comes to names. I simply just can't think of any that i like and i think if i pick up one more baby name book i'm going to go insane! Christopher still likes Brody, i like it too, but I guess we are keeping our options open just in case another name pops up. The other day, I was in bed sleeping and i start to feel this steady jump in my tummy. I roll over thinking the baby is just kicking me but then movements kept happening in the same spot with a steady pace.......and i knew right then it was the hiccups! It was so cute to wake up to that....awww! <3

25 weeks & 5 days - Today Christopher and I had our monthly check-up. Everything went well. I found out that i have to take another 3-hour Glucola test at 28 weeks, which is on Sept. 5th. Ughhh! I hate doing those tests. The baby is still measuring big - the doctor said he's measuring about 2 weeks ahead of what he should be...I asked her if that was a good/bad thing and she said it's not bad and that genetics sometimes go into play - but Christopher and I aren't "big" people and both of our mothers had small babies (under 8 lbs)...he was 7lbs and i was 6lbs...so not sure what the genetics thing has to do with it! They haven't changed my due date, but he keeps measuring bigger - - - so i'm not sure what's going on. I just hope i don't have a 10lb baby at birth! Besides that, everything went well. He was kicking and moving alot when the doctor was checking his heart....he's so active! I forgot to take my prenatal vitamin last night (i take them at night) and so i took it quick this morning before i left the house. Bad ideas. It made me so sick to my stomach. I felt like i was going to throw up...but luckily i didn't. I decided to have my mom and sister help me with my baby shower. Seems Vickie and Kate are hard to coordinate in all three of us getting together....we all have such busy lives...so i just figured it would be easier on everyone if i just have my mom plan it. We are getting together Wednesday night to look at a catering menu at Viva (the place i will have it) and get everything organized. I will mail out my invites this week! I'm so excited! Christopher and I went to Babies-R-Us yesterday and registered. That was about a 3 hour event! We had fun though and it's always great for him and I to do things like that together and get ready for our little guy! Christopher was so into it too! He registered for things that I didn't know he registered for until we looked at the list in the end! I'm just so lucky to have him...he's going to be such a great father. Today when we left the doctor appointment, he kissed me in the parking lot before we both parted to go to work and said "Take care of my love bump". That's his new nickname for my ever-expanding belly. He comes up with new names all the time!

I just made my 3D/4D ultrasound Appointment for Wednesday, September 12th. I'll just be turning 29 weeks! Can't wait!

Week 26 - So Christopher and I pretty much decided that "Brody" is the name we're giving our son. Brody Francois (middle name pronounced 'Frahn-swah" after his French grandfather.) We struggled on first names forever because there was no one we really wanted to name him after but we both liked the name Brody and decided to go with that. It's official! I can't wait to see my little baby boy on the 3D ultrasound. I hope they turn out good!!! I have about 3 weeks to wait though! i'm so impatient! We start out birthing classes on September 5th. I found out my good friends Crystal & Brent will be doing the birthing classes with us too! It's so exciting. She is at 32 weeks currently and says she's ready to go! We had dinner the other night and she looks fantastic! I wish i was at 32 weeks right now! I also had my monthly doctor appointment on Monday....i have to re-take the Glucola test again on Sept. 5th. They want me to do it again to make sure my blood sugar levels are still ok at 28 weeks. I barely passed the three-hour test at week 22....so it's just a precaution. Owww! I can already feel my arms getting pains in them from all the needle poking they will do. I just hope i pass it and me and Brody are healthy. I just gotta stay away from the sugars! I've been having pelvic/pubic pains in the past few days, but I think it may be a pulled muscle or ligament....I hope it goes away...i couldn't even stay in class last night for longer than an hour before i had to go home and lay down....Besides that, me and baby are healthy.

August 23, 2007 - Last night while laying bed, i noticed the "linea negra" (dark line) showing down the middle of my belly above and bellow my belly button. This morning, it's no longer there....but i think it'll make an appearance again. I was actually excited about seeing it appear! It's almost like it's just one more thing that is making my pregnancy validated! Sometimes i still can't believe i'm pregnant and going to be a mommy soon!

Baby Shower Update: August 24th, 2007 - Last night, i finished up the invitations for the baby shower....and i mailed them off this morning. They turned out SOOO good! I'm so proud of myself. Me and my mom have been trying to get organized for the shower. My sister Ashlee is supposed to be helping too, but she's been busy with cheerleading and her own things lately....I don't know why i got involved in the planning of my own shower - it's so stressful sometimes! haha, but i like it and it's fun to plan parties. I decided I wanted to have it at the Canal Street Pub & Restaurant, which is right across from my loft. It's so neat in there...it's an old warehouse building turned into a restaurant/pub. Me and mom are going to have dinner there on Monday evening so she can check out the banquet room and we can finalize a menu and talk to someone about all the little details. I'm excited....I just hope i have a good turnout and i hope my friends and Christopher's family can make it. All of my family (except my mom) all live in North Dakota and scattered throughout the mid-west so unfortunately none of them will be able to make it...but i sent them invites anyways so they are still in the loop! I didn't realize how much stuff there is to do in planning an event like this....i would throw parties in the past but they were casual parties...nothing that required decorating, catering, winelist, reserving a place to have it, etc.....phew! Too bad i don't have an ulimited budget like those 16 year old girls do on MTV planning their birthday parties!

So my baby shower went AWESOME!! It was Saturday, September 29th. You can see the slideshow below....my mom and sister did such a GREAT job decorating the place so lovely. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better shower! The food, cake, drinks, EVERYTHING was just so good! Although I was pretty much the only one not to indulge in wine but that's ok!! I was just a little disappointed that a ton of my friends didn't make it. There were like 7 or 8 people that RSVP'd and then didn't show up. I just feel bad because when you plan an event, you plan for a certain amount of people, etc. So my mom did alot of extra things....but oh well. Those that didn't make it from Christopher's family and some of my friends still sent gifts along, however I just wish i could have seen them! I haven't been doing much socializing and so i miss everyone! We were sooo blessed with all the gifts! My mom and Christopher's mother spoiled us the most! Just between them two, we got a stroller, two carseats, high chair, crib, swing and TONS of other things like bathub, clothes, books, toys, etc. Honestly, Christopher and I don't really have to buy anything at this point! We are set! I'm so thankful.

32 Weeks + 1 day - Christopher and I had a doctor appointment this past Monday (October 1st). We also got to have an ultrasound!! Brody weighs in abt about 5 1/2 pounds already!!!!!! I can't believe it! You could even see his chubby cheeks on the ultrasound screen!!! It was great seeing him. He gave us a cute little yawn and was sticking out his tongue. He's so flippin adorable! It's torture not to be able to hold him in my arms and nibble on those cheeks! So, since Brody is measuring so big (over the 90% percentile for his age), the doctors made the decision to make my weekly blood testing into daily blood testing. They think the Gestational Diabetes is the reason why he's so big already. They set me up with my own glucometer reader and I had to go through this training session to learn how to take it, when to take it, etc. I still pretty much eat the same diet (Low carbs) which is fine with me. I feel better when i eat very healthy. Sometimes it's hard to resist cravings, but I know it's best for Brody and for me. I am so worried he'll be too big for me to have a vaginal delivery and we'll have to do a c-section. I also don't want him to be too big! I want to have a little cuddly baby and not a toddler at Birth! i know that we probably have too many newborn diapers already. I'm sure i'll have to exchange a few bags for bigger sizes....plus there might be some clothing he'll never get to wear! Too bad I came home one day to find Christopher taking tags off the clothes! I was like "What are you DOING?!" He didn't know. I guess he didn't realize that our baby may not ever fit 0-3 months! LOL. He was only trying to help.... I just get so frustrated because sometimes no matter what I do, my blood sugar levels are still high and I feel like it's my fault. I just don't want Brody to be unhealthy and that is my main concern. Besides that, everything else is going well! He is very healthy and has a strong heartbeat. Last night Christopher and I laid in bed for about an hour just watching, talking, and playing with him. He was SOOOO active and my stomach was moving more than ever before. I mean, this was crazy movements! I wish I had made a video of it last night. Honestly - it looked like he was trying to push his way out of me! We were both in awe. Brody woke me up this morning - I guess he was still active as can be....then he got the hiccups. Poor thing. He has been getting them alot lately (just about once a day). I have been feeling pretty good. My energy levels are low most of the time from lack of sleep, but besides that, no major aches/pains. My ribs stopped aching so bad and my pelvis stopped hurting with the excrutiating pain! I still feel achy at times, but overal, i am feeling great. Life is good :-)

October 9th, 2007 - The exciting news first - Crystal and Brent had their baby girl yesterday - 7lbs. 2oz! Little Aurora Elisabeth Lord! Aww, so sweet! I can't wait to go visit them in the hospital! Now for the crappy news - i have to start my daily insulin shots. I had to see an insulin specialist today and learn how to inject insulin into my body. Oh man, it really sucked big time! I have to start officially doing it tomorrow. I also have doctor's appointments twice per week now. I guess they just want to monitor Brody quite often with the whole diabetes thing. He's super healthy so far though, so I have high hopes he'll be fine. I just get really down on myself about having GD. I feel like it's my fault, even though i've been told by everyone it's not and it's my body's reaction to the horomones. Anyways, on a lighter note - my office threw me a surprise shower today! It was so lovely and i was 100% surprised! They got me a huge cake which was so cute, a large gift basket filled with baby blankets, bathtime stuff, baby brush, bottle cleaners, lotions, powders, etc. Plus a gift card for $170! I even had a co-worker who doesn't even work here anymore stop in to give me a homemade quilt that she had made especially for me. My heart almost melted. She said she entered it into a local fair and it got 4th place, but It's so lovely and amazing! It will definately be a keepsake forever! She even put turtles into the quilt pattern because she knew I am Sioux Native American and that the turtle symbol was symbolic in my tribe! I can't believe how thoughtful that was! I'm so blessed with such great people in my life! So my cloudy morning at the doctor's office turned intoa bright and sunny one once I got back into work!

34 weeks + 1 Day - Today I had my 2nd Doctor appointment this week. I'm now going to the doctor's twice per week (every Monday & Thursday) - which will continue until I give birth. I guess since I have GD, the doctors want to put me on the monitor and do the Non-Stress Test twice per week to make sure baby Brody is doing ok and responding the way he should be. Both days this week, he's had the hiccups while on the monitor. Hearing him hiccup on the speakers is funny! The doctor also told me that I'm measuring at 37 weeks!!! I can't believe that he's grown that much since last week! Last week, he was measuring 36 weeks. He's seriously growing like a weed! The doctor told me that this definately won't be a small baby but we'll have to try and manage his growth as much as possible with the insulin. I've been doing good on the insulin the past few days. I think we've found the right dosage amount and it seems to be controlled so much better. :::sigh of relief::: Hmm, what else? Oh, i bought a belly cast yesterday - i will attempt to cast my wonderful pregnant shape this weekend! That should be fun! I wanted to wait until I was about 36 or 37 weeks to do this cast, but I have this weird feeling that I might go into labor earlier than expected *Fingers Crossed*. I have had a few dreams the past week that I went into labor and had my baby. I think I just want him in my arms so bad at this point, that I'm dreaming about it and thinking about it constantly! He's still head-down so he's in position and ready to go.....it's just a waiting game at this point! Next week, I start with my cervical exams.....I'm anxious and nervous at the same time. I want to see if I'm progressing but I'm also scared it will be painful! We shall see!!!

October 22nd, 2007 (34w5d) - ok, so i offfically want this pregnancy to END asap! LOL. Over the weekend I was doing some research to get labor started naturally. I found you can do accupressure (applying pressure on certain pressure points on the body). I found the ankles area is a good place as well as on your hands and neck. I also took a few bumpy car rides and engaged in some male-to-female activities! LOL. Next week I'll be full-term and I just want to start to dialate and efface! I went to the doctor's this morning and did another NST. No exam took place but I'm thinking either at my Thursday appointment or else next week they will do one. Brody is good and everything is fine. I'm still measuring at 37 weeks. Next Monday I get an ultrasound done to see what his approximate weight is. I'm putting bets on 7-7 1/2 pounds! If babies gain 1/2 lb per week at this point, that would actually put him at about 8 lbs since he weighed in at about 5 1/2 on October 1st. If he is 8 lbs next week, i'll plead and beg with my doctors to induce me no later than first week of November! I just want him to be healthy....even if he is a little chubbier than most! I'll just have more of him to love! He's just beginning to be such a heavy load on his momma. It's hard to walk anymore and getting outta bed in the morning is tougher and tougher. I'm starting to lose my balance sometimes....my belly is all Brody for sure!

35 Weeks - I went into the doctor to get my regular bi-weekly NST on Thursday (October 25) and while there, the nurse said that I will get my Strep B test done. It was no problem and actually didn't hurt at all. Then, she said "Well since your pants are off, we can check your cervix if you want"....and i was like "YES!" (I have been so anxious to see if I have progressed at all). I told her that I have been very uncomfortable and been feeling tons of pressure and pains in my pelvic/vag areas. So she checked me and immediately said "Well, I can see why you are having alot of pain and pressure - your baby's head is very low and i can feel his head!". Then she said that my cervix was not dialated but is starting to soften - which I was a little bummed to hear that no dialation has occured, but at least my cervix is softening, it's a start!!! I knew since about a week or so ago that I felt Brody drop, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't tell from my physical appearance if he had dropped or not, but I could just tell from the inside. It's alot harder to walk and move around and i feel him very low. I get an ultrasound Monday, Oct. 29th. I get to see how much this lil dude weighs. I'm still thinking about 7.5 lbs by now. I am hoping and praying that if he already weighs that much that I somehow go into labor SOON! I can't imagine waiting until the end of November to have him....he'll be well over 10 lbs! Well, i will post again after I find out at my ultrasound appointment!

35w6D - I went to the doctor yesterday for my bi-weekly check up. It was also my scheduled Ultrasound, so i got to see my lil munchkin one last time before he makes his debut into the world! The technician did her measurements and he's weighing in at about 6lbs. 7 oz! That's IT! I thought for sure the lil bugger would be at least 7 1/2 lbs by now! Since I started controlling my sugar levels and using insulin - this has definately helped with his rapid weight gain. I'm so relieved and I think i'm a walking testiment that controlling Gestational Diabetes really does work! It's tough, especially when you have a sweet tooth craving, but it's definatley worth it and I will do whatever it takes for my baby to be healthy. So, hopefully my little guy will be around 8 lbs or so when i have him, unless I have him within the next week or two - then he'll be a good 7lbs or so! My mom seems to think that whatever she went through in labor will happen to me too. She said she threw up during labor, had very bad back labor, went past her due date, and had long labors. Great. I'm so glad she is telling me this! When i told my little sister that Brody is weighing just right, she says to me "Well, it's still going to hurt whether he's big or small". Like she would know anyways - she's only 16! hahah... Gotta love my supportive family. LOL. So besides his weight, everything else is going well. I should get another cervical exam at my Thursday appointment. Let's hope for some progression and that my cervix is effacing or dialating! *Fingers Crossed*

36 Weeks 1 Day - Today I had my regular Thursday check-up. Doctor examined me and I am officially 1 cm dialated and 70% effaced! HOORAY! That was great news! It was a great to hear that i went from last week doing basically nothing to now dialating and almost completely effaced! I hope it goes quick from here on out! I put in my official maternity leave start-date at work. I will work through Nov. 13th and take my remaining vacation days and start my maternity leave November 19th. Doctors think I will probably go into labor the week of Thanksgiving anyways, so it kinda all actually works out perfect. I wouldn't mind an 'early surprise' though! Bring it on baby Brody! Mommy & Daddy can't wait to meet you! xoxoxox

37 Weeks & 1 Day (Nov. 8) - I'm STILL pregnant. I feel like it's never-ending. Everyone is saying "Oh, not long now....." but it still feels like forever away! Each day gets harder and harder and is definately taking a toll on my body. I only have three more working days after today until Maternity Leave! Hooray!!! It will be SO nice to just lay in bed until i feel like getting up! My hips hurt so bad and it makes it so difficult to walk. I told this to my doctor today at my appointment and she said that's actually a good things because it means the baby is making his way down the birth canal. She also checked my cervix and I am still the same as i was last week - only 1 cm dialated. ::::Sad:::: I was hoping it was at least 2 or 3! Dang. Everything is great for Brody - which is good. I am the one that feels like I got hit by a truck! haha. As long as he's healthy and ok, i'll be just fine!

38 Weeks 2 Days (Nov. 16) - So i officially started maternity leave this past Wednesday (on my 38 week mark). The past few days have been nice having off work. I have caught up on housework, visited a few friends that I haven't seen in awhile, went shopping with my mom, and got some homework done. It's nice to be able to schedule your day according to what you want to do and not what you HAVE to do. I've decided work just gets in the way of my life. So at my doctor appointment yesterday, the midwife was going to strip my membranes but said she couldn't reach my cervix good enough to do it. I was really bummed out. I am also still only 1 cm. I'm very bummed out. I feel like nothing is happening and I will forever be pregnant. I don't even think I've lost my plug yet. I started crying last night because i'm just so tired of being pregnant. It's hard to walk and move around without being in extreme pain and my swelling in my feet is alot too. I can barely get shoes on anymore and i can't exactly where flip flops anymore because it's getting cold out. Winter is just around the corner! My mom and I went shopping today and went to lunch. It was nice. When she dropped me off at home i told her that hopefully the next time she sees me, i'll be in the hospital! Besides me whining and wanting Brody to come out, everything else is good. I hope I'll be one of the next to >POP<

39W2D (Nov. 23, 2007) - My wishes to have Brody before Thanksgiving didn't happen. Oh well! I do have good news though! So today I went in for my bi-weekly doctor appointment and I found out that I get to be induced on NOVEMBER 30th at 7:00 am! I'm so happy that I FINALLY know when Brody will be here. Even though it's exactly a week away and seems forever from now, I'm glad I know when it'll happen so i can be ready. Unless he decides to grace us with his presence before then! I was having contractions today - but nothing painful. They had me on the monitor for a few hours to make sure things were ok. Since i've been very good at keeping my sugar levels where they need to be and everything else is very healthy, they don't see any need to induce me any earlier. His size is no concern and said that he's measuring perfectly normal. I am kind of happy about that because every day in the womb counts. I get a final ultrasound on Monday to see what he's measuring. Hopefully he won't be too big! :-) I'm in such a happy mood right now because I will be holding my son in a WEEK at the MOST! :-)

39W5D (Nov. 26, 2007) - Things have drastically changed since my last entry. I went to the doctor today for my routine NST and also an ultrasound. Brody is apparently measuring on the larger size at about 9lbs., 12 oz! I was in SHOCK. I had a gut instinct he would be big - but WOW. So, my doctors told me that a c-section would be something to start thinking about because if he turns out to be that big - there are so many risks to try and deilvery naturally. I opted to not risk it and just do the c-section. I'm SOOOO freaked out and so worried about my recovery and that I won't be able to take as good of care of him once we're home because i'll be in pain and stuff. I just pray things go ok. My c-section and Brody's new birthday will be Wednesday, November 28th, 2007. I go in at 8 am and he should be born around 10 am. I guess my wishes of him being here a little bit sooner came true - but not in the way I hoped. I so scared! Keep me and Brody in your prayers!

::::Baby Stuff I recommend::::

***********************************

* Belli Elasticity Oil - This stuff has worked WONDERS so far and not one hint of a stretch mark on my body!!! I started using it at 4 months, before i started to really pop out. This stuff is a little bit on the expensive side, but i researched what would work best and came across this and bought it based on other user's testimonials. Since alot of things can seep into our blood streams, I worried about that. This company is the ONLY company in the world to perform teratology screening on their ingredients to help guard against birth defects. I found NOTHING But positive feedback on this stuff. Check out what i read: http://skincarerx.com/review_box.html?prid=451#PRSTART . If you want to buy, i recommend going to the direct site because it's cheaper. www.bellicosmetics.com

* Fetal Heart Monitor - if you're a worry wart like me and one month between doctor appointments is just tooo long to wait to make sure everything is going good for your baby, i recommend getting a fetal heart monitor for home use. As usual, i researched heavily before committing to anything and found the best deal on www.storkradio.com. I got a 3 month rental for $20/month! Pretty good! Plus, they throw in free monitor lubricant. I ordered this because i wanted the comfort of being able to hear my baby's heart beat anytime i wanted. I rented this at about 2 1/2 months along. I figured that 3 months of rental would be good enough because by the time i would need to return it, i would be feeling the baby move actively and that should help reassure me the baby is doing great!

* When Registering... I recommend actually GOING to the store rather than doing it online. Although me and Christopher's trip to Babies-R-Us took about 3 1/2 hours, it was well worth it! We could touch, play, and try things out that you can't do from online. We tested out different strollers in the store, felt different fabrics for bedding, swung baby swings, even played with toys! lol. The coolest part is that you can change things online afterwards too! I went home, looked over my registery and did some further investigations on things we registered for. I ended up changing a few items because some of the items got low user reviews. (I base alot of my buying decisions on other's opinions on their use of a product). I just recommend spending the time to go into the store to register when it comes time to!

Comments on estellablu`s Profile
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Comments 1-24 to estellablu
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busybeemom - Tuesday, 22 July
I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes! To all my ladies that sent the e cards, after I was done laughing it brought a tear to my eye!!! Hugs to all!

mplsmama - Saturday, 21 June
Hi there, thanks so much for your response about the c-section! The funny thing is I didn't get your response until after I had my baby! I actually had my water break later that night after I wrote to you. My birth story is on my page... but I did end up going w/ the c-section, and was also glad that I went w/ it! I'm 3 wks post-op, and still healing, but I think I'm doing pretty well. The funny thing is that my dr was also wrong about the weight, like your was... but she was wrong in the other direction... I totally could've had birth vaginally, b/c my daughter was only 7 lbs, 4.9 oz! Oh well. It's ok. I'm still glad I did the c-section, b/c her head wasn't engaged, and the dr said I probably would've labored for hrs, and ended up w/ the c-section anyway. Thanks again for your response, and hope you're doing well!

cheri - Monday, 16 June
hi babes, sorry it been so long, trinity hogs all my time these days. so how are u and ur little one doing, its so weird that in a few months we will be celebrating there 1st birthdays, only seems like yesturday we were pregnant and chatting about baby moving inside. hope ur doing well xxxxxxxx

busybeemom - Saturday, 14 June
Automatic update: busybeemom added a new blog: Jumperoo baby!

busybeemom - Saturday, 14 June
Automatic update: busybeemom added a new blog: Destinee's concert

busybeemom - Saturday, 14 June
Automatic update: busybeemom added a new blog: Sophie\'s videos

busybeemom - Friday, 13 June
Automatic update: busybeemom added a new blog: Today is...

busybeemom - Thursday, 12 June
Automatic update: busybeemom added a new blog: Sophie is

mplsmama - Thursday, 29 May
Hi there, I hope it's ok that I'm contacting you - another member [wonderinginIA] suggested I check out your page. I'm having a c-section due to my baby measuring very large, and she thought you'd be a good person to talk to! I'm a bit nervous about the c-section.... I read your son's birth story & totally had tears in my eyes! I'm so glad to hear everything went well for you. I can only pray that things go that well for me too. I'm thankful to touch base w/ women who understand what this dilemma is like... b/c I've had a lot of people try and talk me out of the c-section... and I know they think they're being helpful, but none of them has been diagnosed w/ having a baby as large as mine! Mine sounds like it's on track to be around the same size as yours. At 34 wks, s/he was 6.5 lbs... at 37 wks, s/he was 8.3 lbs... my dr thinks if I went to 4O wks, s/he'd be at least 1O lbs. I actually passed my GD test, but my dr thinks I may have contracted it later in pregnancy b/c the measurements are similar to a woman w/ GD. The belly was already measuring 41 wks when I was 37 wks! So.... I've decided to schedule the c-section.
I really don't like the idea of being strapped down... but I'm relieved to read that you really didn't feel pain. That helps ease my mind a bit. I guess if you have any other words of wisdom, I'd sure welcome them! Regardless, it was nice to read your birth story! :}

wonderinginIA - Friday, 23 May
PRETTIEST MOM
Once you have been hit, you have to hit 5 pretty Moms.
If you get hit again, You will know you are REALLY pretty!
So hit 15 pretty moms on your friends list to let them know they are
pretty!
Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her
down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop
the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important
and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to
make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the
wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
Send this to someone who you think is a special Mom.''

chantellen - Monday, 12 May
HEY!!!! :) how are you? wow time has gone so fast huh, Happy mothers day :)
Gabe is so much fun, sitting up laughing etc, not crawling just yet, but looks like it will be soon, whats your lil guy up to? (heres are vid= http://youtube.com/watch?v=QbN3dExRjQI

Im staying at home, my husband works 2 jobs so I can stay with Gabe, but I would like to try and get back into my fashion design soon (work from home) :)

wonderinginIA - Tuesday, 6 May
Hi - hope your doing well!! How exciting that Brody got his first tooth! Happy Mothers Day early!

Brodysmom - Friday, 2 May
AWE!! Brody cut is 1st tooth! That is awesome girl! Watch out they will stop coming line like wild flowers now. :)

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