23 4/7 Weeks

Today we had another appointment with Dr. Ortique my OB. It was supposed to be last week Friday but they had to cancel me because she was going to be out of the office. This appointment was uneventful because they NEVER do ultrasounds of baby boy! They always just listen to his heartbeat with the doppler. Since I am getting ultrasounds every 4 weeks from my Perinatalogist, I guess they figure there's no need. I think there's a need. I always have a need to see baby boy!

Anyhow, I was weighed in this appointment, as with every appointment. This time though, they made me get back on the scale to weigh me a second time. I guess it was a lot? I gained 10 lbs in the past 5 weeks. :/ What can I say, I was hungry  baby was hungry. I knew it wasn't going to be a big deal to the Dr. because when I asked her how much I should be gaining at the last visit(because I was concerned that it was gaining too fast over the holiday season) she said about a pound a week. So, if you think about it, I was just being a very good patient. She says she wants one a week, I'll see you that and raise you another! I'm just trying to follow the rules here people. After all, these are just guidelines, right? The doc also said that it would take me gaining a TON of weight for her to be concerned at all since I started off underweight. So although the tech was looking at me funny, I knew Dr. Ortique wouldn't.

But I was wrong.

Dr. Ortique came in the room and was doing the regular small talk about the Superbowl and what not and then stopped in the middle of the conversation and said, "WHOA, Amanda is this really your weight gain?" "Yes", I said sheepishly. Then she asked what my starting weight was again, and then she said, "Oh, ok, no big deal. You started off way under, so this is ok." PHEW! I was so nervous! But it did make me a little paranoid about exactly how much food is going into my mouth. I have been eating pretty healthy throughout this pregnancy, except that my diet is sans green veggies of any sort. The thought of which makes my mouth water in not such a good way. I am trying to get over this though, because I want this little boy to be exposed to as many different healthy food options while in utero as is possible. Supposedly the more they are exposed to now, the more they will be willing to try when they are here. Thus, I am trying to incorporate those little green ipecac infused thing-a-ma-jigs back into my diet. Sigh. I told the same thing to Dr. Ortique, and she said something about avoiding the candy bars. It was to this comment that my husband then tattled on me, saying something along the lines of me inhaling some Reeses Peanut Butter Cups...and maybe some a few gallons of Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate Ice Cream.  These two things have been absolutely heavenly. Honestly. Like I am tasting heaven. The Reeses just started this past week or so. But my love affair with Blue Bell has been stretching back since Christmas. =) The thought of which just makes me smile, and dream of when I will be reunited with my freezer. Anyhow.

She gave us some homework, and when I say us, I mean me. I have to find a Pediatrician, and I should be signed up for childbirth classes this month. I already know who I want my Pedi to be, I just have to find her. I worked with her way back when I was in nursing school, and I absolutely love her. Then to the childbirthing classes. I can't have just any old classes, I would prefer to be taught the Bradley Method. So I have to find somewhere relatively close that teaches this method. Working nights is also more than likely going to be an added challenge. I have to fit in 3 nights for work a week, preferably not on the weekends, so I can see the hubs. I also have a Beth Moore bible study that I am attending on Tuesday evenings which is a MUST attend. So I am torn as to when I am going to be able to sign Dan and I up for these classes, but where there is a will there's a way, so it will be done.

Baby boy sounded great, his heartrate was in the 150's again, same as it has been. He was moving around while she was taking a listen. Wish I could have SEEN what he was doing, but what can you do? Dr. Ortique drew my thyroid labs to check on them and everything was within normal limits. She wants to be the one to follow up on my labs from now on. That is fine with me, one less person in the mix, one less person to fax things to and repeat information to. She is keeping me on the same doses of the PTU for my Thyroid, but she said I can stop taking the BetaBlocker for my heart. PTL! This drug is the one that caused the most potential harm to the baby, so I am so very glad to be getting off of it! So I am weaning off over the next 2 weeks and will be keeping track of my heartrate in that time. As long as it stays within normal range I can stay off of it. So please be keeping that in your prayers.

Other than that, not much else has been going on. We are making plans for the Michigan baby shower, and putting the finishing touches on some of those details. Dan, Marcie and I have all bought our plane tickets home and are more than excited to be able to spend time with all of you! It is such a blessing to be able to have both Dan and Momo coming along for the trip, I wouldn't have it any other way! We are waiting on the furniture delivery company to contact us about scheduling delivery of the nursery furniture. The nursery is done being painted, so we are anxiously awaiting filling it up! Once we get it delivered, you'll have some pictures! BUT NOT UNTIL THEN MOMO.

Hope this finds all of you well and very very blessed.
Much love from the Paynes:
Dan, Amanda and Baby Boy!!