34 Weeks!

Sorry I have been a bit behind on my posts lately, but October has been a VERY busy month!  I'm currently sitting here at Parent-Teacher Conferences since I have some time between talking with parents. 
I made it to the doctor again yesterday and the trend continues...Elena is doing just fine.  My stomach is measuring on point and her heartbeat sounds strong and healthy.  All music to Juan and I's ears.  It's hard to believe that she'll be here next month.  This pregnancy has gone by so fast and I thank God everyday for this miracle. 
A little over a week ago, my friend Meagan Dalton from True Life Images took some maternity pictures of Juan and I.  I was able to attach some of them.  She did an amazing job and I cannot wait to have her take Elena's newborn photos too.
I will post my October belly photo this weekend if I can remember to make time to take the picture!!

32 Weeks Strong!

This week marks week 32 for baby girl.  We made it to the doctor again this morning for a quick check up!  I'm still at a healthy weight and Elena is measuring on target and has a healthy heartbeat.  I asked the doctor today if she could tell what position the baby is in and Dr. Boulicault really dug into my stomach to check on how she was laying.  Great news was that Elena's head was down where it needed to be meaning all those pokes and large bulges coming out my side are her little butt and legs.  She really does like to remind me that she's in there ALL THE TIME.  Having to count kicks has never been a problem for us!  I have found that the right side of my back gets a pain sometimes and I feel like it's due to her sitting on my right side most often, making it heavier, meaning I'm leaning in ways I wasn't before.  I have to change positions often whether I'm sitting, laying down, or standing.  It seems like I need to be in motion more than still.  I shouldn't complain, though.  I need to keep moving!  I have not had any swelling...yet.  I hope that phase stays away for awhile. 

Juan reminded me last night before we fell asleep that this is the last month of "just the 2 of us".  When he said this, it really hit me that we are going to be a family.  I mean, I knew the day we found out I was pregnant that we were going to be a family of three, but it is getting all too real now.  In less than two months, we'll be a mom and dad taking care of something bigger and more wonderful than either of us can ever understand at this point.  We get more and more excited each day.

I also had my first baby shower on Monday, October 3rd with the JC reading teachers.  I feel so blessed to work with such caring people.  I don't think I'll ever be able to say thank you enough for the gifts and kind words.  Elena is already spoiled!!

Week 33...here we come!

September Belly

My September belly is looking large these days.  It looks so big in the picture, but I don't feel like it's that big already!  I still have 2 months to go!  According to the doctor, I am measuring just fine and my weight is good.  Baby is doing well and moves around all the time.  Her heartbeat is at a good pace, so we're SO happy about that.  Hoping baby girl continues to grow just like her momma and daddy want her to.  Elena has always been sitting so low in my stomach, but I think since she's starting to grow even bigger and at a faster pace these days, she's moving towards my ribs.  I find myself needing to adjust more often now when I've been sitting for a long period of time.  No complaints, though!  She's been very good to me this entire pregnancy. 
Pregnancy has been a wonderful experience for me and I've learned many things about myself so far...especially when it comes to food...as most of you know, I am not an adventurous eater, but I'm doing my best to eat a variety for baby...I am hungry quite often, but have to eat smaller portions as I don't have a lot of room to put all the food I want to eat!! 
I have realized: I DO have a taste for Chef-Boy-Ardee mini-ravioli, S'mores have never tasted SO good, bagels with peanut butter are a great snack, I can eat a pound of steamed asparagus and not think twice about it, even though the thought of Chinese food during the first trimester made me gag, I have found my love for it again, bacon is and will always be delicious at anytime of the day, raspberry yogurt is the best, canned pears are one of my favorite fruits, I'm addicted to fresh fruit-raspberries, strawberries, apples, midnight grapes, and Carnation Instant Breakfast is perfect for my weekday mornings!!
I just can't believe we're on our way to week 31...it's incredible how fast the weeks go by.  She'll be here before we know it! 

A few more 3D Ultrasound pictures:

 Oh, mom and dad, please stop taking my picture!

 OK, I'll smile for you, but just this once.

I'm tired now and will just sit here and look cute.

3D Ultrasound

Juan and I made an ultrasound appointment to see baby Elena on Monday, September 19th, 2011 in 3D.  At first, we weren't going to be able to get in for awhile because I left this until the last minute, but the wonderful people at the ultrasound center were able to get us in and Juan and I were both able to leave school a bit early take the appointment.  According to the doctors, the best time for this kind of ultrasound is between 26-30 weeks and I was just entering week 30 when we got to see her.  I'm so glad we were able to get this opportunity because I know she's going to start running out of room to move about freely as the weeks continue to fly by. 
This video above is just one of many that Juan and I got to bring home on a CD.  I think this one is just wonderful because she sticks out her tongue at us for a bit...she's a comedian already!

Glucose Test #2

I survived glucose test #2 and all test results came back normal.  I was SO thankful that there were no complications in this department.  I had never had trouble with this before, so I was so surprised when my numbers came back elevated the first time.  Thank you for all the prayers and concern as I made my way through the three hour test.  Being a teacher and all, I had plenty of things to keep me busy for three hours while I sat in the waiting room.  It really wasn't so bad.  Not only was I kept busy by my own work, but the comedy show I got from all of the elderly folks coming in to have their blood drawn was wonderful.  They would chat me up in a heartbeat asking about the baby and the weather.  I hadn't been so entertained in a long time in a waiting room!  It was a joy to talk to some of them and just observe while they spoke to others as well.  Many couples taking care of one another in their fragile states too...reminded me of what love really means.  So beautiful.

The Drink

It's been awhile since my last post, but my days have been jammed packed with school, tutoring, and Juan and I thinking about baby!  I try to get to bed at a reasonable time, too, so I'm not a zombie when I wake up in the mornings.  I can't complain too much, though, because things have continued to go well.  Elena is growing just fine according to the doctor and she's moving around all the time.  Sometimes her acrobatics freak me out a bit, but then she calms down and just gives me a poke to remind me she just needed to change positions.  Love her so much!
So, onto "the drink".  I went to the doctor on September 6th for my monthly checkup and had to have my blood drawn after drinking the glucose drink.  I was thinking it was going to be this nasty, terrible liquid that I was going to have to hold my nose to get down.  But, I just put a straw into the bottle and got going fast.  It wasn't that bad tasting at all...just SUPER sweet.  It tasted like flat Sprite as I had lemon-lime flavor.  I got it down easily and headed to the doctor's office.  They took my blood and checked everything else that is baby and then off to school I went.  I didn't have any worries.
Two days later I got a call from my doctor's office that I needed to come back to do another glucose test...a 3 HOUR glucose test because my numbers were elevated a bit.  Needless to say, I was not a happy person to hear that I was going to have to do this.  I think I just wanted to keep this clean slate that I've had all pregnancy of no major issues and now I have to go back for more glucose testing.  The doctor reassured me this happens quite often and I shouldn't get myself too alarmed.  She made me feel better about having to come back...now my only issue is that I have to take a half day off school to go do this!  I'm trying to save up as many days as possible right now, people!!
Anyway, that's where we are right now.  I'll be going back this coming week to do this test.  Please pray that all numbers come back the way they're supposed to.  Baby girl has been doing so good so far, I want to keep this going!  September belly picture will be coming soon among others, I'm sure.  We're about 2 1/2 months away from meeting this precious girl and I am getting more and more excited by the day.  Week 30 here we come!

August Belly-Part 2

I've been taking a photo every month of me in my stretchy white tank top...looks like this shirt is getting a little too small for me now, but I will continue to take a photo in it every month just to see the progress we've made since the beginning!  It really is amazing how much she continues to grow.  This past week I got an e-mail update that she is the size of a head of cauliflower and about 2 pounds.  I think I'm starting to feel those 2 pounds just hanging out in my stomach...I can only imagine how I'll feel in another month or two when I'm really packing on the lbs!!  

Everything continues to go well and I have another doctor's appointment on Tuesday which is when I'll "drink the drink".  I'm sure another blog will follow on that whole experience.  Stay tuned...

Elena is really starting to pack a punch too.  She moves around A LOT.  I sit a lot now teaching students and if I sit for too long, boy does she let me know that I need to get up.  She sits very low in my belly so it seems as though her movements are exponentially harder and "squirmier".  Yes, I just made up that word, but it's the best word I could think of to describe the feeling!  She lets me know when I should eat something and gives me the "thank you" kicks after I eat too.  She's one active little critter.

Now onto our long Labor Day weekend together...looking forward to getting some things done and still having an extra day to relax!