The "Day to Day" List - and Week 35 Update

In basketball they list players as "day to day" when they have an injury. Sparky has landed us on the "week to week" list. This week, we are clear for another week of being pregnant, unless Sparky decides to come on her own terms. I talked to the doctor today and he said Sparky is at the high end of normal, but every week counts. So we'll re-evaluate next week and probably have a day or two notice for when labor will be induced. Maybe Sparky will do us all a favor and decide she is ready to evict herself before the doctor has the chance to pick a birthday for her.

Sunday was the start of a not-so-amazing new phenomenon - incredible discomfort. When the doctor asked me with morning how I was feeling I told him I felt like I had a baby elephant riding around, not a baby girl. As my good friend Sue put it, I have a one bedroom apartment, not a three bedroom house, for this girl to live in and she is taking up all of the available space. The poor little occupant is also having a very difficult time moving, so I've had to help her out a few times when she gets stuck halfway through moving around.

My waistline is up to 45 and 1/2 inches, but somehow I've managed to lose another 5 or so pounds in the last couple weeks. That was a slight cause for concern at the appointment this morning, but since Sparky seems to be doing well the weight must be coming off me, which is just fine with me. I'm hoping that by the time that we head to Steve's graduation I can fit back into my normal clothes.

This week Maize decided that she is scared of the kicking belly, so she's taken over Steve's personal space. She prefers his lap, but if he fills it with the computer she just takes over his shoulders. Someone needs to let the dog know that she is not a lap dog or a small kitten.
We are headed to Hastings this weekend to visit family for Easter and for the second of 4 baby showers. We are really excited about visiting family and getting out for a weekend. Happy Easter to you all - we hope you get to eat the share of the Easter candy that I can't have.
A pictorial recap of the expanding baby belly - weeks 8 through 35.

Week 32 - 8 Weeks and Counting

Well, first off, to the person who voted for Chelsea, that is not Sparky's name.

Week 32 is off to a so-so start. I have a terrible cold and I cannot take any over the counter medication because it raises blood sugar. So, Sparky is getting the normal diet to keep her from getting too big while I am sipping hot tea hoping it will help somehow with the congestion, sore throat, sneezing, cough, and earache. So far it is day 4 with the cold and it has been no fun. Being sick apparently raises your blood sugar naturally, so I've been struggling to keep my sugar levels down and having to be extra careful about what I am eating.

My waistline is still at 45 inches, although I seem to be rapidly changing shape and I am assuming a big expansion is on the horizon. I have lost about 5 pounds since starting the diabetic diet, but the doctor isn't too concerned about it so I am sure that Sparky is doing just fine. She should be about 19 inches long and around 4 pounds this week. She is now pretty thoroughly stuck now and we can feel her back pretty well, along with feeling her little rear end frequently pushing up into my ribcage. I can't complain too much, though, now that we are regulating our sugar Sparky is much better behaved and I've had a much easier time sleeping and working.

We are back to the doctor on Wednesday, but I don't expect it to be much more than listening to Sparky's heartbeat and checking my sugar levels. Hopefully the cold does not linger much beyond this week.

Week 31 - Diabetes Diet Week 1

Well, we've survived almost 1 week of being diabetic and made it to week 31. My belly is still the same circumference and this week, thanks to the mostly salad diet, I have lost 1 pound. I'm sure the doctor will be happy to see the lower weight and the better blood sugar. My poor fingers are looking forward to the end of the pregnancy so they can get a break from the poking.

Now for Sparky's stats:

Height - 18.5 inches (approximately)
Weight = 3.5 pounds (for a normal baby, for sugar-fueled Super Sparky this may be much higher).
We will be getting ultrasounds periodically from here on out to see how big Sparky is so that she doesn't get too big to deliver naturally. Better estimates on her length and weight will be available after those visits. My next visit with my friends at the doctor's office is Wednesday morning.

No photos this week - maybe the camera man will be back next week.

Very Sore Fingers

My trip to the doctor's on Wednesday morning resulted in the acquisition of a new "toy" that I am not too fond of. I am now the proud owner of a blood glucose monitor and have the privilege of sticking my finger 4 times each day to test my blood sugars (and adjust my diet based on the results). So far the approved food list is salad, stir-fry with barely any seasoning, and low-carb Special K (also known as cardboard flakes). Hopefully I can find some diabetic recipes online and spice up the diet a little bit now that I have some free time on the weekend.

Next trip to the doctor's office is next Wednesday (and every Wednesday thereafter until Sparky is born). Apparently we are going to closely monitor this little girl's weight, since there is a very good chance she will be a big, fat baby. From what the doctor said on Wednesday she is going to be delivered early (April 18th is probably the latest date and it could be as early as April 4th). The doctor had just delivered a 10+ pound baby that was 3 weeks early before I saw him, so I am sure he is hoping to avoid having that problem with Sparky.

So far I've had only one high reading and have lost 3 pounds in 2 days (probably mostly water weight). Steve and I are both hoping we can control Sparky's growth rate so we can avoid a c-section or a really early birthday for our not so little girl. So... unfortunately no Valentine's candy for me this year (and those conversation hearts are my favorite candy ever). Less than 10 weeks until donuts :)