Hey ladies, figured I’d throw an update out there, in case you were wondering. I’m not going to do the “warning, pregnancy mentioned” cautions on my posts anymore–I think those of you who needed to have unfollowed me, and those of you who are still with me are expecting an update.
Obviously, the puppy is doing well! He goes to “puppy daycare” 1-2 days per week for a few hours, so he can run around and play with other pups. He loves it! So do I–he comes home exhausted š I have a Halloween costume for him and he LOVES people so I think I’ll tag along with friends with kids and take him trick-or-treating š
Mr. MLACS has been home with us the past couple of weeks. We’ve been busy, but there was one thing I was really looking forward to–the pumpkin festival. I wrote about the pumpkin festival last year (Click HERE to read that post) and it was painful for me to be there amongst all the preggos and families–I had hoped to have a baby in my arms this year…but instead I had a bump. I held Mr. MLACS’s hand as we strolled through the festival. I ate warm sugary pecans and I bought my baby girl a tutu and a headband–just because. Sounds like an average day but it was literally a dream-come-true for me.
We are moving on Halloween (to the house pictured above)–found a 3 bedroom house with a nice fenced backyard in a nice neighborhood for a good price (renting–not ready to buy yet). Mr. MLACS won’t be here, so we’ve hired movers to do the lifting. I still have to pack…uhg. But I cannot wait to plop a pumpkin on our front porch and call it home (at least until June, at which time the lease will be negotiated, we will buy it, or we will *sigh* move again).
We had our anatomy scan yesterday. I was nervous, as I’ve had some anxiety lately that was not present in the first trimester. I’ve only felt her move a handful of times. My Ulcerative Colitis has been “kicking it up a notch” and I’ve feared a full-on flare–but I think I’ve got it under control now, with nightly enemas (yay!)
But then I saw her today, with her body folded in half and her long legs kicked over her head–the sonographer joked she was doing a yoga pose. I saw her spine, her brain, her heart, her tummy, her kidneys…I smiled and exhaled the breath I’ve been holding these past couple of weeks. She measures right at 20 weeks and everything looks normal. I can still hardly believe it.Ā I’m so, so grateful.
IĀ gained 3lbs these past 4 weeks but I’m still down -1lb from my pre-pregnancy weight, so that’s not bad. I still take the Zofran for nausea, but I’m down to 4mg once a day (in the evenings before dinner). I had blood work yesterday and happy to say I don’t have anemia (which justifies all the steak I’ve been eating), my TSH is a lovely 1.15, and my blood pressure is fine. I do still have some rectal bleeding and there’s not much I can do about that–it’s debatable whether it’s the combo of hemorrhoids/blood thinners, or if it’s inflammation from my UC. I do my best, and as far as the docs are concerned, I’m doing fine. Still doing my Heparin shots but instead of in my belly I inject on my sides around my hips, where the skin isn’t stretched. Dr. AngelĀ was impressed with how little I’ve bruised, though I do have a couple small ones and some knots.
In other pregnancy news, we had some professional pics taken last week and I’m planning on announcing–I wasn’t sure I would ever announce, but I want the support of family and friends and I want Mr. MLACS to be able to celebrate with his family and friends too (they are all spread out and none are nearby). I should get the picture CD from the photographer today. Plus I thought “Even if something goes wrong, I want to remember this time”.
I considered having a doula. But instead I’m going to train Mr. MLACS as my coach and rely on him and Dr. Angel–but most of all, I will rely on myself. I’ll explain more about the birth plan after I flesh it out. I’m thinking of using the Bradley Method. Also, my counselor/prenatal yoga instructor recommends 2 books by Penny Simkin, called “The Birth Partner” andĀ “Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn”. These are required reading when she teaches doula certification classes so they must be good–I have to go pick up my copies from Barnes & Noble this afternoon.
I have to start thinking and acting as though this baby is really on her way. I’m self-imposing time limits on social media and blogs, so if I’m not around as much it’s because I’m trying to stay off my phone and the computer and focus on the tasks-at-hand. Plus, I don’t even know where I belong anymore, truthfully. I’m trying to figure that out.
To my ladies who are struggling with infertility and loss, my heart goes out to you. I haven’t forgotten how that feels.
To my ladies who’ve gotten BFP’s in the last month or so–YAY! I anxiously await every beta and ultrasound update.
To my ladies who are beyond the 1st trimester (like me), I wish we could commiserate more about the changes we’re going through. It can be lonely being PAIL.
To my ladies who are parenting–thank you for your continued support. I still look forward to your updates! If you have started a new blog, please let me know.
XOXO,
MLACS
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