The Latest...

Yesterday was our ultrasound to check Gracelyn's kidneys (because of my kidney disease) to make sure they still look healthy, which they did! Thank you, God! (he never seems to let me down!) ;) Anyways, our appointment was at 9:00. We waited till 10:30 before they called us back. With the doctor I was seeing, I kinda expected at least a little wait but geesh. It wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't feel like my bladder was about to burst! I swear it had to have weighed at least 10 pounds! (That's what I am telling myself anyways to make up for 10 pounds on the scale.)


So, after they called us back and I emptied my bladder we got ready for the ultrasound. As soon as they squirted that warm jelly stuff on my belly Gracelyn started squirming all over the place. Zack's response was "geesh she doesn't like that, look at your belly moving!" I was a little disappointed with the ultrasound only because it wasn't as clear as what I thought it was going to be and we couldn't get any good pictures because every time she tried to get one of her face, she was being shy and turned away. But, she was healthy, and that is what matters the most to me.


The ultrasound tech was able to tell us what position she was in and point out everything to us. She has already made her flip and is head down! I asked her if she could still flip back around but she said once she's in this position she should stay there till delivery. This made me feel good because that umbilical chord scares me! And knowing she's already turned and the chord is where it should be, eased my mind a lot! (As I have said before, I am a huge worrier!) But, I love knowing exactly where she is now in my belly. She has her little legs crossed indian style (perfect position for when she decides to sprawl them out to catch a rib, or spleen, or maybe my liver lol) And since she is face down, her little butt is the rounded spot I can see on my belly when I sit and lay certain positions. I also now know that when I rest my hand on my belly, I'm holding her little toochie!


If you read my facebook status yesterday, you already know that all her measurements and weight is showing her at 30 weeks instead of 28. She is one ounce shy of 3 pounds! I am hoping I am 2 weeks further along than what they told me and she arrives sooner than we thought! Either that, or she is just going to be a big baby! The firs thing they measured on her was her head. When it showed "30 weeks" Zack said, "wow she has a big head" paused and looked at me then said "good luck with that." (Thanks dear lol)


So that leaves us where we are now! Very exciting to think that she may come 2 weeks early. But very scary knowing if that's the case, in 6 more weeks I am considered "full-term" and could go into labor anytime! I say scary, but it's a good scary. In other words, I can't freakin' wait!!!

What Not to Say to Someone "With Child"

After listening to people make comments, I've decided to make a blog about the things you just don't say to someone whose expecting. I really think they should teach a class on this stuff. And thank God my momma raised me to always say to myself "Kayla, if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Sometimes, that works. But other times, it is very hard not to come back with a smart comment. And I admit, I have. Sorry, mom!

"What Not to Say to Someone With Child"

Some of these may not be pregnancy related, but it's just enough to hit the wrong nerve that sparks an attitude that's about to explode in your face :)

And...some of these are just plain out "omg I can't believe someone said that to you!"

Make sure you read to the end. I saved the best for last. Complimentary of my husband, who means well. He really does....

*** "Do you really think you should be eating that?"

(Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. So, piss off. Thank you!)

*** "How much weight have you gained?"

(Well let's see, a couple pounds past none of your business!)

*** "You shouldn't poke your belly, your baby will come out with a cone head."

(I'm sorry I thought all babies came out with a cone shaped head because they had to squeeze through a BIRTH CANAL!)

*** "You're getting chubby."

(Thank you for noticing. It's called a baby.)

*** "I remember when my cat had kittens, it was such a beautiful thing."

(Yeah, I'm pretty sure there's going to be a huge difference between your kittens, and my baby. Just saying!)

*** "I knew a girl one time who gave birth at home and the baby died. She was about as far a long as you."

(Really? Do I even need to comment on this?)

*** "Labor is the most painful thing. You are going to hate it."

(Thank you captain obvious.)

*** "You're a lot better looking then the girl that was here last year. How long have you been here?" (5 years I replied) "Oh, it must have been you then."

(They say when you're pregnant you have a "glow." I'm sure that's all it is. That has to be all it is....)

*** "I thought maybe you were pregnant but then I thought maybe you were just getting fat."

(Pregnant? Who's pregnant?)

*** "You look like you need to go on a diet."

(Well, so do you. Maybe we can work out together? Say in about 3 months...?)

*** "Wow your cranky, you're really going to be a witch when your down to your last month."

(Thanks for the honesty, jackass. But, let me tell you a little bit about my sleepless uncomfortable night, and my constipated, bloated, heartburn, backache, tired day. Trust me, once I'm finished you'll understand why sometimes I get a little cranky.)

And my favorite... as my husband helps me out of the recliner and follows me back the hallway...

*** "You should do some squats." (imagine the look I shot him!)

 He then said I didn't let him finish and he meant to say I should do some squats to build my leg muscles up so getting up out of a chair is easier for me.

Nice save honey....nice save. (I know he didn't really mean anything by it. Like I said, he means well. Just sometimes it doesn't come out that way!)

Sugar Rush

Yesterday was my 2 hour blood sugar test. Not really knowing what to expect the drink they make you chug down in 5 minutes tastes like, I was a little nervous. Mainly because I didn't want it to make me sick. Thankfully, it tasted like orange Hawaiian punch. A very sugary orange Hawaiian punch. It wasn't that bad until the next 2 hours all I did was burp it up. Then it got me thinking, couldn't they just give me a big ole' stack of pancakes drenched in syrup to eat. Wouldn't that have the same affect? Not to mention taste 1000 times better! Maybe I was just hungry since I couldn't have anything to eat or drink until the test was over, but still I think it's a good idea.


My first hour went by pretty fast since my friend, Val had an appointment at the same time as me and since I was called back to see the doctor. She did the usual: pee in a cup, check blood pressure (which is always high when I go there, I tell them this but I don't think they believe me), weigh me ( I wont even go there!) and check the baby's heartbeat (always music to my ears). Something new they did this time was measure my belly to see if it's growing to scale. I passed. But, what was even more exciting is she gave me my information to pre-register at the hospital. I even have to start having my appointments every 2 weeks now! This is going by so much faster then I thought! Especially now that I don't have to wait 4 weeks between appointments it's really going to feel like May is just around the corner (and really, it kinda is!)


So, after my first hour passed they pricked my finger to test my blood sugar then said "I'll see you again in another hour!" Oh boy. It's actually really annoying sitting in a doctor's office with a bunch of other pregnant women and listening to all the pleasant conversations that was going on. I'm glad I have such a thoughtful husband who decided to stop by and keep me company for my last hour since he was in between road calls from work. Finally my last hour passed and they took me back once again to have my finger pricked. Thankfully I didn't have to go back out to the waiting room and wait for the results, she had them within a matter of 30 seconds. It was such a relief when she said "you passed, you are free to go!" *Pats myself on the back* I knew eating all those cupcakes that I've been craving was okay!


So now it's back on the 27th for another appointment and ultrasound! I can't wait to see her again and to see how much she has grown since December when we found out our little miracle was healthy and a girl!

"Even the dog looked at you funny"

I thought of this after I posted the last 6 months...if you have a good sense of humor, and know my golden retriever, Presley, you might find this as funny as I did. Brace yourself and remember... "no filter..."


I mentioned how all I do now since being pregnant is eat, sleep, pee and fart. I am really not kidding. I have never, and I mean never farted in front of Zack before. I've always been able to be very discrete and do it without him knowing. Well, for those of you who have not been pregnant let me tell you sometimes there is just no way of being discrete. It really just happens and a lot of the time, you don't even expect it. Of course I always say "excuse me" as soon as I "break wind" so to speak. I even have the walking farts. I guess that's what I get for making fun of my dad for getting older and developing what I thought only old people got, the walking farts. But, nope, apparently pregnancy does the same thing! It's kinda embarrassing. Anyways onto the story...


I like to think this is just pay back for all the times Zack let one rip in front of me that I can say wasn't very pleasant. But, maybe not. Last weekend as Zack and I were on our way to Winchester on our quest for paint and supplies to start on Gracelyn's room, I looked at him and just informed him (so you know, a certain smell didn't take him by surprise) that I had gas. He then decided to tell me, "man, you let one really rip last night in your sleep, even Presley looked at you like "what the heck was that?" This immediately made me laugh hysterically. Only because Presley got his name by the way he would look at you when you talked to him as a puppy. His lip curled up like Elvis. It's really a comical sight. Anyways, apparently when I had fallen asleep on the couch, Presley was laying right beside of me with his head directly under my butt. Poor guy gut the blunt end of it. Literally. I asked Zack how bad it was and he said "I don't know. I got up and walked out of the room." Zack doesn't believe that women fart or poop. He told me that we just "pee our food out." Ha, I guess he got a rude awakening with that one!

The last 6 months (sorry folks, this ones a long one)

Seeing as how I am 6 months pregnant, there is a lot for me to remember and catch everyone up on. I guess I will start by just pointing out the little detail that I now know what it is like to have someone use your rib cage as a punching bag! Ouch! But, let me get started on the stuff you want to read, maybe.


I remember the first time I really thought to myself "wow, I'm pregnant and I'm going to have a baby" Zack and I were at our first doctors visit where they do an ultrasound to see how far along you are. At first I wasn't sure what to think when she pulled out this long probe thing that was to be so gently stuck up my cooter. (sorry for the information but for those of you who know me, I have no filter) Anyways, of course, all she looked like at the time was a little peanut since she was only 6 weeks. But, what really got me was when the doctor said "do you see this right here? that's your baby's heart beating." Seeing that brought tears to my eyes. I knew then that this is real, and I have a baby growing inside of me who has a heartbeat and everything! It was a truly amazing and beautiful experience.


Moving along...let's talk about morning sickness shall we?!? And, the smell of dryer sheets. Yes. Dryer sheets. I couldn't do laundry for the longest time without gaging every time I walked in and smelled a dryer sheet. I know, out of all things right? I am the type of person who doesn't get up early enough to iron my clothes, so my clothes just get thrown in the dryer in the morning to "de-wrinkle" as I get ready. This was usually the kick off to my morning hacks. And leave it to my oh so wonderful husband to find my "gagging episodes" comical. Ever want to really tick off a pregnant woman with nausea? Laugh at her. It doesn't go over well. Usually ending in the bathroom door being slammed in your face with a few choice of kind words mumbled under your breath. Anyways, never in my life have I ever gagged mid sentence. Now, that one is kinda comical. The even better part is once you think you are over the morning sickness stage, it hits you again except this time, every day, on the dot, at 4:30. Needless to say, I am so glad that's over with!


Now, onto "hunny I cant get my jeans past by butt" One of the most devastating times of my life. What can I say, I am a woman who's put on 20 pounds in the last 6 months and let me tell you not all of it has gone to my belly. My boobs have gotten a fair share which I am not complaining at all! I had a woman who delivers from FedEx to where I work say to me, "I was going to wait a couple months before I asked you cause I wasn't sure if you were just getting fat." This is not a lie. You can't make something like that up! I am happy to say that I am past the point where people are too afraid to ask you "so whens the baby due?" in fear of the person not being pregnant at all. And let me tell you, maternity jeans = NO butt and a saggy crotch. Apart from being cumfy, they defiantly do not help someone feel pretty while everything else is growing and swelling. And might I add, since we're talking about swelling, I now know what it feels like to have kankles. Ugh. And, I've been told after 6 months, it's all down hill from here. And I thought it was hard getting up out of a cumfy recliner now. Before I move on, let me just throw in here that whoever thought pregnancy (on the outside) is beautiful, is nuts! Knock on wood, no stretch marks, yet. But, a popped belly button and this odd brown line that started under my belly button and just keeps growing higher...and higher....I just don't see what is so pretty besides what's happening on the inside.


For those of you who know me, know that I love animals more then people. Being pregnant, I have become very nurturing towards everything. Even stink bugs. I know, I'm crazy. But, I promise, there's a funny story to this. I noticed a stink bug on the door as I was walking out. I stopped and started to talk to it. I said "oh, hi there mr stinky bug how are you?" Needless to say I got a very odd look from my husband as he said, "are you seriously talking to a stink bug?" I began to explain to him that since being pregnant I have become very nurturing. He responded with "why don't you start nurturing me?" My hormones must have kicked in and I replied with "well what the hell do you want?" He just laughed...


Boy or girl? I remember thinking, I wonder what it is. At first, I really wanted a boy. Only because I just didn't think I could handle the "drama" of a girl. I will tell you now, I wouldn't trade her for anything! The day we found out what we were having is a day that we will never forget. We got lucky and had one of the first appointments so we didn't have to sit in anticipation for too long. The ultrasound was so clear! We could tell what was what before the doctor even pointed it out. We could see her butt, her spine that ran the whole way down her back as we watched her wiggle all over the place. We saw her tiny feet and toes, her hand as she waved at us. It was sweet. Then came the main event...and she was not shy! Legs spread wide ready to reveal to us that we are going to be having a little girl! It was awesome. I cried. Like a baby. Of course. Even Zack got emotional. When the doctor handed us our ultrasound pictures I heard Zack take a deep breath and say "it's a girl...it's a girl..."


First kicks: It was hard for me to distinguish at first gas bubbles or baby? Because you know, all I do is eat, sleep, pee and fart. No lie. Anyways, I remember the first time I knew for sure I was feeling her kick. It was such an amazing feeling and I couldn't wait till Zack could start being able to feel her and now he can feel her kick and squirm all the time! Well, not all the time. She has her moments where all she must do is sleep but when she is awake and moving you can see my belly jump from across the room!


So, now it's on to the fun stuff! Getting the baby room ready, going through baby clothes, registering for baby gifts...ah, I am just so stinkin excited! 15 weeks to go! Gracelyn Faith Byrne will be here before we know it!


I hope you enjoyed reading this so far. I will keep posting new blogs as new things happen that I want to share. 3 months and counting....