Tutoring Baylie

Today was my weekly tutoring session with 5 yr. old Baylie.  She told me that she wants the baby to be a girl, and that we should name her "Princess."  But that if it turns out to be a boy, definitely call him, "Dachshund."  Strangely enough, they don't own one of those dogs.  She just thinks it sounds like a GREAT boy name.  

"Dora" is sounding a whole lot better now.

Zoe

Jen's little girl Zoe (3yr old) told me today that she would like the baby to be a girl,
and that we should name her "DORA".

Great suggestion Zoe. We'll think about it.

Hallelujah!

Today I feel like a new (pregnant) woman!   It is amazing how a conversation about drugs can change your entire outlook on your pregnancy.  

Not to say that I was "hating" every aspect of pregnant life -- but I dreaded 7:00 injections.  I disliked morning and nightly suppositories.  I had to set the alarm on my phone to keep all my medications straight - and it would sound 8 times a day.  Those sorts of things didn't make me feel that steady in regards to how the pregnancy was going.  I kept thinking about those really stupid ladies that have made the news because they went to the bathroom one day and birthed a healthy child.  Oh my gosh!  When did that grow inside me?!!   - the lack of effort on their part is astounding, given my first 3 months.

The new me:  

Dr. Brian Koos (pronounced 'Caws' - like it matters!) of UCLA came and met with me and my mother.  He was my special "called in" doctor that dealt with the problem OB patients.  UCLA - that was reassuring.  After careful review of my case file (which is a novel),  15 different ultrasound shots of the kid, and a quick glance at my legs, he stated, "you're allergic to Heparin. You should stop taking it." 

RELIEF!

Later in an office he typed up his findings, and summarized his thoughts for us - "You should go off Heparin, and I don't see any need for you to continue on any other kind of blood thinning medication."

We sort of squirmed.  Dr. Ayyagari had been adamant that my positive test results were IMPORTANT.  Heparin was NECESSARY for the entire duration of pregnancy.  

Evidently, the type of lipid panel I tested positive on wasn't known for causing miscarriages.  - - and since I was passed the 1st trimester, I was 'home free'.  Dr. Ayyagari was just being OVERLY cautious - scaring the crap of me - and making me stab myself for the fun of it over 180 times.  (I'm going to try to convince myself that INJECTIONS are what made my 1st trimester successful.)

We still needed to hear it again.  Dr. Koos called in one of the other Dr.'s on staff at San Dimas Medical Group.  They discussed me.  Then, Dr. Davis called us into HIS office.  Matt arrived just in time to hear the verdict.

No more heparin.

No more injections of any kind.

No more suppositories.

Iron supplements can be limited to once a day - since I wasn't ever THAT anemic.

I can keep taking the 81mg of asprin each day. (big deal!)

OH MY GOSH!  I'M NORMAL!  

I FEEL LIKE I JUST GRADUATED FROM SOMETHING! 

I can breathe again.  

  

I'm Allergic

These pictures really aren't doing the redness justice.  Darn flash.

Look at the Heparin effects...

The initial RIGHT leg (a week and a half post injection):

and the LEFT leg (daily injections for the last week and a half):

Today, I get to go and see a new doctor (Since mine is still vacationing).  The nurse practitioner from the other day said that he deals with "problem OB patients." THAT'S ME!!  

I'm hoping that he makes the call and switches me to 

It is only injected ONCE a day  - But uses a larger needle.

A Picture Says 1000 Words

I went to school the other day to work on my new 4th grade classroom and as I was walking towards the workroom, I happened to glance towards the front entrance to the office.
I noticed that there was some black spray paint marking one of the entrance pillars - but I couldn't make it out. I was shocked. Someone tagged our beautiful new school?!!

As I got closer, my mouth dropped wide open. This is what I saw:Allow me to enlarge the image for you...

It's at AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!! We have Daycare here during the summer! Come on people!!

I'm a little skeptical

So, one of my dearest friends typed this on her blog today:

Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

 I decided to post a comment.  So I guess I'm playing the game now!  I'm a little worried.

Something's Wrong

It itches.  It is warm to the touch.  It is raised and welty.  It is red.  It is bumpy within.  It's about 6"x 8".  It is where I have been injecting Heparin for the past 3 months twice a day.  

I almost clawed my leg to the bloody point last night in my sleep and we decided that today, I had to go in and get checked out.  

I was released from Dr. Ayyagari.  Dr. Crenshaw is on her two week vacation.  So, we settled for our primary care Dr. -- Del Torro. 

He believes it's one of two things:

1.  I am having an allergic reaction to the Heparin in my system.

2.  I have injected that area's fill of meds and the skin is now supersaturated and needs a break.  

Either way:

1.  I have to stop injecting Heparin into my right leg.

2.  I have to use some anti-itch cream that he prescribed today

3.  I can take Benadryl

4.  If I have the same reaction on my left side - then I need to switch from Heparin to something else ASAP.  

 

We have a crib!

Here's our most recent furniture purchase - and I'm really excited about it!    Granted, we realize that we still need a mattress, bedding, and well - a baby!  But it's fun isn't it!?  It's one of those "lifetime" cribs.  It will turn into a toddler bed, and a full sized single later!  

1st Trimester - See Ya!

Here is the latest "photograph" of our little wee one.

12 weeks and 2 days:

...Always sleeping when we get to watch.  We are hoping that trait will last.  As of this day, the baby measured 59 mm or 2.32 inches.  They say that's good.

We've Got The Beat!

So, Thursday I got to go back to my old/new Dr. for my 1st prenatal appointment with her.  This week, I will be released from Dr. Ayyagari - as I will have passed my 1st trimester, where most critical development and problems arise.  I was rather excited to get to see Dr. Crenshaw again.  She is SO MUCH better at talking to me.  Dr. Ayyagari has this little problem with dwelling on the worst possible scenarios - going into grave detail about each - BUT not giving much information on WHY he chooses to do the tests and treatments he selects.  Slightly frustrating, especially as my hormones fluctuate.

After a few test tubes of blood, and TWO pee tests, Dr. Crenshaw whipped out the fetal doppler.  Some goop on my tummy and I was listening to our baby's heartbeat for the first time.  It sounded a lot like a washing machine. "whhshwoo whhshwhoo....."

Matt was at work, and couldn't be there.  When I called him and told him the news he was SO disappointed.  

The following day I drove us back over to the Dr. office and tried to check out a doppler.  Apparently, they don't check them out to "newly pregnant" individuals like myself.  You have to be at least 20 weeks along.  Treene - the gal at the front desk went and spoke with Dr. Crenshaw - who was on her way, not only out to of the office for the night, BUT out of town for her "much needed 2 week vacation." 

She agreed to redo the doppler on me!  SHE IS SO AWESOME!  

Matt's face was classic.  Sort of giddy and filled with awe.  Totally worth it!

The number of beats per minute on Thursday was 166.  Which is within range for 11 1/2 weeks - but on the high side.  Apparently, 

At week 9 the fetal heartbeat tends to beat within a range of 155 to 195 bpm. The fetal heart rate will begin to decrease and generally will fall within the range of 120 to 160 bpm by week 12.  Hmmm!!!

Gender Prediction

Is it a Boy or a Girl, the old wives tale suggest that fetal heart rates above 140 bpm are a sure sign it's going to be a girl and fetal heart rates below 140 bpm mean it's a boy.  This "theory" is based on the fact that girls have higher metabolisms than boys, unfortunately there is no statistical proof to verify this tale.   (But I guess that's just one more reason to call the baby a "SHE" !!!)

Here's somebody else's doppler heartbeat... but it's the concept. 

(click the underlined link below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9TkqJPuRk

Our Minnesota Trip - Day by Day

July 6th

On our way back to the Mall of America... going to meet up with Jeff and Gina and see the movie Hancock.  

Aren't Marc and Jeff cute as twins!

Jeff (psyched about Hancock)  and Gina

Chris admiring the Zohan's form...

And who knew! 6'4" is the perfect height for a revolting picture!

Our Minnesota Trip - Day by Day

July 5th

Meet Chris' 15 lb lap-cat Thor!

After sleeping in (or sleeping off the night before) we woke up late, and lounged a good part of the morning.  Later that evening, Chris' lifting group from the gym came over and we got the night started.  

From left to right meet: Neil, Fritz, Andrew, Marc, Conner, and down in front, Chris.

After getting a good start, we drove down to a club called "Seven,"  in Minneapolis.  The club was a bar on the first level, a sushi restaurant on the 2nd level, and an OUTDOOR bar/dance area on the 3rd floor rooftop overlooking the city's skyscrapers.  

Fritz, Conner, and Neil plan their "move".


Marc found "one he liked."
He made me give my opinion.
What do you think?

Our Minnesota Trip - Day by Day

July 4th - 

On our way to Rochester, to visit Chris' Dad.

Later that night, back at Chris' house.  We kicked off the festivities with some "tequila shakers."  (and when I say "we" I mean "they" - not me.)

Next, we drove down to Minneapolis for the fireworks show on the Mississippi River.  
There, we met up with Chris' brother Jeff and his fiance' Gina and their friends.
(Chris and Jeff)
(Chris, Jeff and Gina)
(Gina and Chris)
(Childhood neighbor, Jenny and Jeff)

After things wrapped up in Minneapolis, we drove to the twin city, Saint Paul for some club time at "Drink."