The Trinity Update

I don't remember anymore how long ago I started asking for your prayers for myself, and I really can't remember when I asked for your prayers for my friends Debby and Heather who were also trying to conceive after miscarriages. I promised then to let you know how things went, and I finally can.

We are ALL pregnant now, and I have no doubt it is thanks to your prayers and good wishes. Heather is due in February (really, any day now!) and Debby is due in July. She wanted me to wait til she was past the first trimester mark to say anything, so I've been hoping that Heather would not go into labor before I could happily announce that we are all three pregnant together! I called us the Baby Trinity before, and now I can say that, thanks to all of you and the grace of God, our Trinity is complete.

Thin Legs?!

I saw the doctor today, and he gave me a new nausea med. He said that my since my nausea has gotten worse in the last week or so, it is probably not morning sickness, but my shortness. To explain, because my torso is so short, Bethie has nowhere to go, so she's squishing my stomach and basically making the food come back up. He gave me a new med that is supposed to help my stomach accept the food. I took it when I got home, ate dinner, and now I want to eat some more, so I guess it's working! Oh, and I've gained 2 pounds in the last two weeks, despite the sickness.

He also said that we are on the right track with the Requip for my legs. I was worried that I had been taking 1.5 mg already, but after I'd thought about it, that dosage has been working for nearly a week now. In any case, he said it is okay to increase up to 4 mg, if necessary. I really have been sleeping so much better, so I am relieved that I can still take it safely.

Finally, he said that he is thinking I will probably need a C-section, since my legs are so thin. I said that my legs are NOT thin (my thighs rub together - that is not thin!), but he said that they are. I have been expecting the need for a C-section because of the CP though, so I didn't even think to ask why thin legs would matter. I trust him though, and I know he wouldn't suggest that if it weren't necessary. I have another sonogram in two weeks, and then we'll see how big Bethie is, and we'll have a better idea of what will happen.

Baby Bump - 8 Months

Can you believe it has been 8 months already? Elizabeth kicks and wiggles so much that I am certain she is dancing in there. It's funny, but I think she's into Hair Bands, just like her mama. Jeff was playing some music this afternoon and she didn't move, but as soon as Bon Jovi started to play - at Mom's request - she started kicking and moving all over. She also likes Poison. Smart girl!

Requip and Rockers

The Requip works for me, but it seems like I have to up the dose every two nights in order for it to work. I can go as high as 2 mg a night, but I'm already taking 1.5 mg, so I think we're going to have to try something else. I woke up at 3 this morning to take a hot bath as I had such bad cramps in both legs, and that's why I started the Requip in the first place.

In happier news, we are 8 months along now, and the countdown is in the single digits! Jeff and I went to the hospital tonight to register and see Labor and Delivery, and we're going to take a tour next week. We also have a couple of classes coming up, so it's all about Baby now.

Jeff put our rocker together tonight, and I love it! It is cherry with light green cushions, and very comfortable. The picture is of Jeff in the chair, rocking our practice baby. Isn't he cute!

I took the Requip last night (.25 mg) and could not believe the difference. My legs totally relaxed, and I was able to SLEEP! Of course, I still need a nap now, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I can no longer breathe as well, so I get worn out even more quickly. It was so nice not to jump out of bed every 45 minutes, though!

Doctor's Visit

*This picture is not Elizabeth, but it is of a 30-week fetus, which is the same age as she*

I had my appointment today, and found that I have lost 5 pounds since last month. The doctor was not worried since Elizabeth is measuring right where she should be, but I was surprised. I was sure I had finally gained a few pounds. Still, as long as she is fine, I am not complaining.

I started throwing up again, and while I was worried that it was a sign of something more serious, it is just part of the joys of the third trimester. Thankfully I still have anti-nausea meds to take, and that does help. I have also been struggling with the leg cramps and RLS. I know it is a common complaint of pregnancy, but given my cerebral palsy and already tight muscles, it has become very bad. I have been sleeping for about an hour at a time, and as you can imagine, I am exhausted all the time. I have actually fallen asleep at work, in the middle of conversations. Since I have tried all the suggestions from the doctor, the nurses, and the Internet - more calcium, more potassium, more water, soaking my legs before bed, using a heating pad, and topical pain cream - I was prescribed a drug called Requip. I am hesitant to use it, but the doctor assured me that I'm doing more harm than good by not sleeping, and that since Baby is fully developed now, there will be no harm to her by my taking it. Unfortunately my pharmacy didn't have it on hand and neither did two others, so I won't be able to get it til tomorrow. I just have to get through tonight, and then hopefully I will be able to sleep. If that can happen, I think I will start to feel better overall.

My New Best Friend

So this is my new best friend, a fun little blood glucose meter! I know that I am whining a little here, but after 4 tests a day for a week now, my fingers really hurt! My blood readings have been good though, which is the important part. I go back to the doctor on January 12, and hopefully he will be happy with the results. I should also get at least one more sonogram to see how big Elizabeth has gotten, since gestational diabetes can lead to large babies who have difficult births. I certainly don't want our little angel to break her shoulder, which is apparently a very real danger with overly large babies. Wish us luck!

7 Month Baby Bump

Here is my 7-month picture, but as you can see, I haven't grown much. I have to say that I'm a little disappointed not to have a huge baby belly, but Elizabeth is healthy and strong, and I am still able to do all that I need to. God knows what he is doing, and I'm just very grateful for this whole experience, even the not-so-fun parts!