Yesterday's doctor's appointment went well. One thing about my doctor's office is that you just never know how long you're going to have to wait. So far this pregnancy I have had pretty good luck with getting called right back. However, this time that was NOT the case. I figured since I had scheduled my appointment for noon (over my lunch hour) that it would be quick since they close for lunch. While I hung out in the waiting room, skimmed through about three magazines and even copied a couple of recipes down in my little notebook in my purse, I overheard a couple other women complain about the "ridiculous" wait. Keep in mind that I am in a room full of pregnant/postpartum/hormonal women. I knew I'd be there awhile being that there were four other women who had been waiting longer than me in this single practitioner office.Now I can be impatient at times; however, sitting at the doctor's office sure beat working! After almost 1.5 hours, I finally heard my name and was finished with the nurse/doctor in about 9 minutes. While this may seem absurd in most instances, I have a respect for my doctor. He is very passionate about his role as a care provider. He takes time with his patients, listens to concerns, tells stories, tries to be funny and lighthearted and gives advice. And not only from a doctor's perspective, but from a friend's perspective which really proves his compassion to me, the female patient.Anyway, I grabbed lunch and sped back to work in time to make lunch just under two hours long. Good thing I have a good excuse. Believe me, pregnancy is a pretty good excuse for LOTS of things at work! Ha!Here are some stats from the visit:- Blood pressure 118/86
- Weight gain of...eeek...6 pounds
- Routine tests normal
- Heartbeat sounded good
- Ultrasound from 9/16 was reviewed and relayed to be normal...due date would be January 23 by ultrasound, but he is keeping the original date of January 28.
- Given instructions for diabetes test next month
- Next appointment: October 30
What I love about fall ~
- Our anniversary. Chris and I chose October to be married. Not only the convenience of fall break but the beauty of the season. It was our theme.
- Husker Football. Go Big Red!!!
- Harvest. The annual pumpkin patch trip.
- Bonfires. The Smell.
- Crisp, cool weather and pretty trees (if only those leaves would rake themselves!).
- Delicious fresh-from-the-tree apples.
- Birthdays. Alexis and I celebrate in October.
- Fall decor. It's the one time of the year Chris doesn't mind going into Michael's Arts and Craft Store with me!
- Dressing up the kids for Halloween.
- Thanksgiving. Time with family.
And, we're having what appears to be a........healthy baby!! Yes, we got to see our "beautiful" and "perfect" baby today via ultrasound. Chris was able to sneak out of school a few minutes early after getting someone to cover the last 30 minutes of school.At 20 weeks/6 days by dating, baby measures right on 21 weeks and 1 pound. My first impression was that 1 pound was big at this point which kind of worried me, but the tech said 1 pound at 21 weeks is normal. (Remember people - I had a 10 lb 5 oz baby two years ago!) Baby was very active during the ultrasound which made it really fun. Baby looked as if he/she was riding a bike it was moving so much. We saw the head and neck stretch way back just as if Baby was waking up or trying to get more comfortable. Really cool! The tech showed us the position and noticed the legs and feet are over on my right side which is exactly where I feel tons of kicks all the time. Knew it! She called the routine procedure "normal," and I will see my doctor again in a couple weeks for another 4-week check up.Chris and I decided not to find out the baby's gender. He was very against it even though I was a bit curious... He brought up a good point that the birth moment is the best time to be surprised, and I guess it's true that we are already pretty prepared for this one, girl or boy. I think waiting gives us another reason to look forward to the baby's birth.Stats:- Age - 20 weeks/6 days by dating; 21 weeks by ultrasound
- Weight - "exactly" 1 pound
- Heart rate - 144
- Bladder and kidneys functioning; adequate amount of fluid present; brain, heart, lungs and abdomen look "normal"
- Ornery like it's daddy...
Here are a few pictures I had to share:
Prime kicking position:
Big A is enjoying school at the new elementary school and gets to start another year of Girl Scouts tomorrow. She is excited for it to start and see her old Meadow Lane friends since she is staying with the neighborhood Girl Scout Troop.
Little A is becoming quite the big girl now as we are now on DAY 5 of NO pacifier!! She has only asked for it a few times at which point we explain that she is getting to be a big girl and will soon be a big sister who needs to share her bink with other little babies (a.k.a. thrown into the dumpster). She seems to accept that and drop the subject. Since about 18 months old (with the exception of traveling) she has only been given the pacifier at nap/bedtime. This past weekend was challenging with afternoon naps, but we have survived and managed not to give into the pacifier temptation. In addition to the pacifier ordeal, A has taken on a "new" bed for about a month now. Her crib converts to a toddler/daybed where she has the unfortunate sense of being "free," a privilege that she has really liked. This definitely proves to be a test for us and results in the need for discipline from time to time. For the most part, she has done well adjusting to the many changes of being a 2-year old. Besides, what should you expect from a toddler?!?
Get out the baby book! Call the grandparents!! A used the potty chair for the first time!!! As dinner was winding down, she was getting uncomfortable if you know what I mean. I asked her if she needed to poop, and she told me "yes, in the toilet!" As often as she sits on the potty chair, she has never actually used it. She sat in the bathroom quietly and got up and shouted "I went poopy!!" She was absolutely right! Chris and I have never seen her sooooo excited. She was really proud of herself. She has been showing signs for a couple months now, and even though I know it isn't a permanent thing, we have made a big start!! Our goal is to have her out of diapers before #3 comes along and requires lots of diapers as well. We will see!!!!
A "baby pool" has been created at expectnet.com. If you would like to join in and make your guesses about Raasch baby #3, click below to enter! Enjoy!P.S. Apparently, some people think I'm going to have another emormous baby. Wonder why?? :)
This afternoon I headed to another OB appointment! This time I went solo as Chris is back in school now. Hopefully he will be able to come to my ultrasound in two weeks! Can't wait. Today I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat loud and clear and very strong. Everything went well. I declined the quad screen blood draw. After asking my doctor his opinion on the upcoming swine flu vaccination, he sent his nurse back in to vaccinate me for the regular flu. I was surprised since I've never had the flu vaccine this early before. Anyways, he is thinking that their office will likely be among the first batch of H1N1 vaccine supply but sounded unsure of the progress and quantity that will be available. Seems there has been a "glitch" with the numbers I guess. Being so new, I am a little wary of this type of medical approach. Is it really safe? Will it affect my baby in a negative way? Who really knows the answer? God himself?Stats from the visit:- Blood pressure 116/70 (same as last time!)
- Gained six pounds (I'm still a pound under where I was at with Ava at this point.)
- Routine tests normal
- Baby's heart rate 150-155 (sounded great!)
