ANOTHER 28 weeks and a trip to hospital

No, I'm not writing a blog about the sequel to some zombie movie.

Today's blog should have been 29 weeks, but after seeing th OB this morning, we've decided to take the countdown back a week. Here's why: April 16th was, in fact, my original due date (based on when I got pregnant.) We got the April 9th date during our 12 week scan, when the sonographer dude measured Louey as being 13 weeks. Of course, no pregnant woman in history would knock back losing a week of her total pregnancy. So I GLADLY thanked him and bumped my due date up a week. But in effect, Louey has always measured with the original dates. Today, the OB said Louey was 28 weeks, and his head and leg measurements were right on target. So I've decided that it would be better to go back to the original dates (of April 16th.) Keeping the earlier date means I would probably "go late" and no one wants that. "Haven't you delievered yet?" and "You still pregnant?!" will not be spoken come April. Also, Ashton came right on the OB's due date, but 3 days after mine.

Sunday night, I learned the hard way that pregnancy and the hot summer sun are not a good combo. Sunday was another hot, beautiful day, so we decided to take Bob's boat out for the day. We spent hours out, played on the beach, cruised the lakes, and the boys fished. Fast forward to bed time and I hit the hay early, complaining of a headache. Around 1:30am, I woke up with the worst pain in my stomach (not bump related) and had to wake Dan to get me some water and indigestion tablets. Neither helped. As the pain got worse, Dan got out of bed, telling me to get dressed, he was going to take me to the hospital. I thought I'd head to the kitchen for a drink when I felt sick and thought I might throw up. Instead, I crashed into the wall, falling over. I heard Dan yell "Did you just fall over?" And I remember answering "yes." But that was it. Next thing I know, Dan's shaking me awake, lying on the floor. I thought I was in bed!! I could hear him calling 000 (our 911) and telling them his pregnant wife had collapsed. Scary stuff. I got dragged off to the hospital and checked out. Baby Louey was checked too and both of us turned out to be okay. For me, it was more terrifying, returning to the maternity ward, since I haven't been back there since Gabe died. But we all survived the visit.

Doctor's diagnosis was: severe dehydration. And today, the OB told me I normally have really low blood pressure and he's not surprised I fainted. I've been formally warned to be careful during these hot days.

In other baby news...it seems Baby Louey does NOT understand the laws of gravity and is sitting upright. I.E.- he should be upside down, head down. But no....not my child. All the movement and kicks I thought I felt, are actually his arms. And while I thought I was poking him in the bum...turns out to be is head. Good going mum! He's got 8 weeks to turn around or he'll be in BIG TROUBLE!!!!!!!!

Photo collage

Being Saturday today, I spent some time playing on the computer with photos. I figured out (finally!) how to make a collage, which I've been trying to do for ages. So once I finished (and because it took FOREVER) I thought I'd add it to the blog.

The photo dates (from left side) are 18 wks, 20 wks, 26 wks and 28 wks. And even though it may look like it, I have not grown taller over the past two months. I'm just edited to look that way. Also, I WAS pregnant for weeks 24 and 26, but they occured over the Christmas holidays and I guess baby brain got the better of me and I forgot to get my fortnightly bump shot.

Week 28...hide-n-seek bump

G'day all...and welcome to week 28. Countdown- 12 weeks!! Hard to believe. But all is well. Momma and baby are thriving. Not much new to report on. It's been very hot here lately, which makes getting comfortable hard. But we're lucky in that Bob and Jill (Dan's parents) have a pool. Nothing beats floating your enlarged waist in the water. I even had the thought of uncovering the bump and letting baby Louey get some vitamin D. Only...I hadn't put suncreen on my stomach and ended up with a pink baby bump. Ouch! First and last time that thing ever sees the light of day.

Since in the last post I mentioned how I was carrying all in front (a la basketball-under-the-shirt style) I thought I'd show you all. (excuse the pictures...they were taken by a 6 year old)

Where's the bump????

Oh...there it is!!

You are now about to enter...THE 3RD TRIMESTER

Yes folks, we've made it to the end. Or at least the 2/3rds mark. As cool as it was to be "half-way" it is even cooler to be in the 3rd trimester and "viable."

Baby Louey is growing and grooving and there is never a doubt in my mind that he is healthy and on the right path. The midwife saw me quickly, 2 days before Christmas, for a reassurance check on the baby. We also just attended our monthly midwife clinic appointment where all went well. She's very happy with my size and the baby's heartbeat is good and strong. (Although, he apparently didn't want to be disturbed, as he kept kicking the probe on my tummy and we couldn't get a good reading.) Was quite funny actually. The next pre-natal step is the dreaded glucose test, and all you mums out there will sympathize. Gross, huh?

This is a weird combination pregnancy...part Max and part Ash. With Max, I carried very high and totally in front. Once again, you can't really tell I'm knocked up from the back (or even from the front, depending on what I'm wearing!) And baby Louey is SUPER active, just like his big brother Ash was. There were days when I swore Ashton was going to burst his way through my abdomen, and I've already experienced a few "Alien- the movie" episodes this time through.

We survived the "silly season," although, of course, Christmas was a little hard. It was weird to think that next Christmas, we should have a little baby crawling around. (It was also weird to stomach the fact that there should have already been a baby crawling around.) But we made it through. Danny and his parents got me a lovely Pandora bracelet, with an initial and birthstone charm for all three of my boys, plus April's birthstone for when Louey arrives. (Only hope he doesn't come too early!!) I also realized that I have been pregnant at Christmas/NYE, four of the past eight years. Which is two-fold. #1 means I can't drink and am Dan's personal driver. And #2 that I can eat whatever and however much I want, without feeling guilty or getting fat (getting bigger anyways...mine as well enjoy myself!)

Post New Years, Dan and I were off to a wedding. Which meant finding something to wear and something that FIT!!! Not an easy task. But we did a little shopping and I found a beautiful dress (that I will never wear again...good buy) and I think Dan and I scrubbed up okay. Of course, once again, the pregnant lady had to sit out the drinking (and the wedding was at a FLIPPIN' WINERY!!!!!!) but at least I didn't feel like a pig sampling every finger-food that came past our table. In fact, those who were hungry came and sat with me, knowing the wait-staff would serve the pregnant lady first. Amen baby.

Someone told me the other day that Safeway (local supermarket) has got their hot cross buns out for sale. "I can't believe the stores are getting ready for Easter already!" people are saying. But we're totally okay with that. With Louey due at Easter, it'll be comforting and exciting to see Easter stuff start to fill the shops. A countdown to the white bunny is, in effect, a countdown to our new baby! I say, BRING IT ON!