Month 6

Today was my 6 month appointment, not much to report. I'm bumped to every 3 weeks for appointments for this last trimester. Baby's heartbeat is consistent at 145, blood pressure good, belly size 1cm bigger than average, 22.5 lbs of total added gravity. I'm scheduled for the glucose screening for gestational diabetes and the shot of Rhogam for being RH neg. at 28 weeks. Baby is moving regularly and I can tell already that he's a night owl, Doug finally saw him shifting around and was quite surprised. I'm trying all sorts of sleeping positions with wedging pillows here and there, but I'm definitely weighed down.

First stretch marks!

I've been using coco butter lotion everyday since about the 2nd month. Dr. Zino says "morning noon and night!" I should be lotioning. I'm in my 2nd bottle with no marks in sight starting yet in all the normal places. Somehow I neglected to keep my knees lubricated, and I have 2 little patches where my knees touch. Weird.

Mobile Re-do

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="256"] I found this musical mobile for $5.00, cut off the bears and made a barnyard quartet. I'm getting close to finishing the animals and attaching them...if I can get Wally to take a break from crafting, he's pretty obsessed with needle and string[/caption]

5 Months

We had our appointment last week, all is well. I first felt the baby unmistakably Jan. 3rd while trying to fall asleep for my early morning flight to WI. Traveling went well, although I had to opt out of the x-ray screening through both security checks. Got a nice pat down. Oddly, at my check-up my B.M.I. still hovers around underweight, yet I'm 5 pounds over my target for 22 weeks. I've gained a total of 20 pounds so far thanks to X-mas, New Years and Mom's b-day! I'm advised to cut down on carbs. We also learned that I have an anterior placenta (on the belly side) which is buffering my baby movement. She says I will be thankful in a month or 2 when I have the padding in front to lessen the kicks when I'm really uncomfortable. Of course, now that I went home and Googled "Anterior placenta" I learned it's the the worst position for C-section, though Dr. Zino didn't mention it. I'll ask next appointment. She also was loosely feeling out Doug to find out if  she needs to worry about a woosey daddy at delivery. Doug thinks he'll be fine.... Next month we get sent for screening of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. I'm thinking I'll be fine since I'm still comfortably getting my daily 4 miles.

"Holy Shit, that's what you're feeling?!" -Doug, Jan. 12th

[caption id="attachment_1126" align="alignleft" width="225"] These drawers are full from hand me downs from my boss's family: 1 year to 15 months![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1136" align="alignnone" width="480"] Daddy crib assembly[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1133" align="alignnone" width="225"] bringing a little WI back east[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1128" align="alignright" width="300"] gifted from Doug's cousin, Matt[/caption]

Yesterday morning the little guy was quite active. I feel him most falling asleep and waking up, though the O'Hare to White Plains trip was notably the wildest I've felt yet! For the first time it was strong enough I thought I might feel it from the outside, which I did. So at about 7am I stirred Doug awake and in his groggy state put his hand on my belly, and he was a little shocked when he felt it for himself!

Later that night we drove 40 minutes north to Sleepy Hollow to have dinner with Doug's 3rd cousin, Matt, Matt's parents, Dean and Wendy (who I've gotten to meet at the various Detrick side weddings) and Matt's kids, Jackie and Luke, 9 and 6. His wife was home in Oklahoma with her mother, unfortunately. We had a nice dinner and Jackie and Luke gave us a concert of beginning trumpet and drum set :)

We also filled the Outback again with a crib, bedding, strollers and diaper bag! Year one has been fairly inexpensive. Amazing!

[caption id="attachment_1130" align="aligncenter" width="300"] crib sheets and bumpers from Matt[/caption]

Happy New Year, Mommy paid off her student loans!!

January 1st, 2013: Just used my Christmas bonus to pay off the small remainder on my 12 years of repayment on my student loans...

January 2nd, 2013: 18 years and 4 months to start saving up tuition for Baby Detrick's college education. High school graduation: class of '31. Wow.