Week 34

I write this blog from the comforts of my bed. Oh, how I wish this could be a sceen from Sex and The City. But it's not that way at all.

I headed off to the doctor once again for my normal check-up. Nurse Donna found my BP to be 140 over 80. That's a bit too high. Dr. G. came in to talk to me to see what else was going on and how I felt in general. (Which is pretty good.) I was sent to the lab for more blood and urine tests. What they are testing for is preeclampsia which is a conditionin pregnancy that cause high blood presure and protein in the urine. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby.

As I waited for the results of some of my lab work they hooked me up to the fetal monitor. I got to listen to Joe's heart beat and not only feel him moving around inside of me but I got to hear it too. Nurse Donna says that we have avery active baby. He wouldn't sit still long enough for them to pick up his heart beat at first.

After sitting with my feet up for a while some of the lab work came back. It was all clear so now the issue is how to control my BP. Dr. G decided to put me on relaxing bed rest until 7/28 and at that time I will go back to the doctor Monday morning for another BP check. it is at that point that Dr. G will determine if I can return back to work or back to bed.

So right now this pretty much sucks. I know I have to do what I have to do. But I can't even put things away in the baby's room. I can't clean my bathroom. Of course, I do find some small joy watching my House Husband...but he helps around the house when I ask him to anyways. I think that he may be enjoying the fact that i am not judging him on how he is folding the laundry or dusting the living room. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful husband. Joe does have a great dad that takes good care of us.

To pass my time I am keeping track of how much I can sleep in a day. Yesterday I slept 18 hours. yah, that's right 18 hours but what else can I do?

Well wish me luck I feel another nap coming on.

Thanks to those who have stopped by to visit or who have called. It makes the day go by faster.

Baby Stuff
From Baby Center.com
Joe now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. You'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Week 32

1 month and 23 days! But who is counting? It seems that Joe's mom got herself into a little bit of trouble. She has started swelling in her feet and hands. Well this morning Mom was looking like Angelina Jolie. She started swelling in her face. She got into the doctor this morning. Since it was kinda urgent she took the first appointment they had with a different doctor. Mom's blood pressure was pretty high so they had her lay down. Mom's doctor heard that she was in the office and Dr. G wanted to see her right away. Because the blood pressure was so high and then dropped so fast after laying down that bought mom lots of lab work. But before she got to leave the doctors office she had to have her blood pressure taken again. It had gone up some but was still considered safe. So the doctor sent her home to relax and put her feet up. Dr. G called a few hours later and told mom that the lab work looks great but .....Heather needs to remember that she only has a few more weeks before the baby comes and that she needs to take it easy. This was a warning the next time it could be bed rest until the baby comes. Dr G. put here into her place very quick!


Baby Stuff
From Baby Center.com
By now, Joe weighs 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in the uterus. Heather is gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to Joe. In fact, Joe will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.


*** Family picture take at Justin and Crystal's wedding 7.12.08

Week 30

I went to the doctor last Wed. for the glucose test. Everything looks really good. My BP is still very low and I am not having much swelling.....yet.
I go back on 7/7. That is right we start seeing the good old doc every two weeks.
Jeff won't be going with as much. He went to my last monthly appointment and that was painful for him. Not because they were poking around or anything like that but because they just want to talk about what is going on with me. i think he was hoping to see some kind of action. Anyways he drove me nuts and I don't think I'll ask him to go until we get closer and then he can see some action ;0)

I did have a bit of a stomach bug last week. Ugh! That was not fun at all. I was really worried because I hadn't eaten in a day in a half. We called the doctor to check in and they said that as long as I was getting some fluids that there was nothing to worry about. After 72 hours of being sick is when they would want to see me...then they would worry. With lots of fluids and rest over the weekend I was good to go.

I took my bridesmaid dress in to get fitted for Melissa's wedding, which is July 19th. Judy the seamstress, said that she is will only need to add 6 inches to the dress. So that whole extra yard I ordered won't all get used like I had feared in Feb.

That is all I have for now. Happy 4th of July!

Baby Stuff
From babycenter.com
Joe is about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Moose Moment
As I have stated before Moose is on to the changes going on in his house. The newest thing that he does is snuggle with the Bump. He HAS TO lay his head on it every night. Sometimes he will fall asleep there and will jump up when Joe kicks or moves around. He also has become very watchful of Joe's room. We had friends over and when I showed them Joe's room Moose ran into the room and started barking at them in is "BIG" dog voice. He also tried to stop them from looking in the crib. He is very interesting to watch.


****Pictures above are of Moose sleeping on the Bump, my newest belly shot and what Joe may look like at 30 weeks in the womb.

Week 29

We have started the 3rd T!

The past few weeks went by really fast. The crib came in. Jeff picked it up on Father's Day. Since this was Jeff's " Father-To-Be" Father's day I gave him the day off. He didn't have to put the crib that day but he would have to put it together sometime in the coming week.

Wednesday Night
Jeff decides that it is time to put his son's crib together. He was worried because this was something that we could use if he didn't use all that parts. Baby Joe was going to be sleeping there. Baby Joe will be able to use this bed for a very long time. ( It will convert into a full size bed)
Jeff is careful to cut it out of the box and what to my wondering eye should appear but a pretty white crib fit for a little girl!!!!

Guess who called Babies R Us....Yep, Yep as the Daddy was in the baby's room duct taping the box shut and cursing everyone who worked at Babies R US. This mom to be had to choke back the rage and speak as clam as she could to the manager on the phone.

Uncle John saved the day by stopping over at the house to help Jeff load the crib that belonged to Carrie Schmidt back into the truck. Jeff then drove to Woodbury to drop it off and pick up the correct crib. The only snag that Jeff ran into is that the box for OUR crib did not fit into the back of the truck. The manager at Babies R Us took a step back away from Jeff in fear. They were able to take the parts out of the box and load them into the truck.

All in all just another Schmidt moment in our baby tale. Jeff did a wonderful job putting the crib together. I can't wait to put Joe in it!

As for the Wee Bump. He is growing more and more. He moves and pokes me more especially when I sit at my desk at work. I think that it doesn't give him the room that he likes. When I stand or lean back then he is happy.
I must say the only time that I am comfortable is when I lay on my left side. I can breath much better then. If only I could lay down at work. hahaha!

I will be going to the doctor on Wednesday for my glucose test. I will now start going to the doctor every two weeks. It is all starting to go faster and faster soon this little one will be here and I will have another wonderful reason to be so happy and blessed with the life I have.

Baby Stuff
from babycenter.com
Baby Joe now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, I'll
need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, I will be drinking milk. This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in Joe's hardening skeleton each day.

****The picture above is of the crib that Jeff worked very hard to put together.

27 Weeks

Summer has just started and I am already looking forward to the fall. No not only because Joe will be here but we can stop running around. I am sure like most of you, we too have been hit with graduations, weddings, showers and birthdays. It is amazing how much of that stuff eats up your time. Don't get me wrong I think it is important to go to these things and I wouldn't have it any other way I am just amazed at how much time goes into each function both preparing for it and actually attending it.

The nice part about the past few weekends is that we have gotten to see some family that we haven't seen in a very long time. I love just sitting around and talking about things. I loved listening to the plans that our graduates have for their future. I love talking about good old memories of fishing trips and blue jump suits. I enjoyed the big 5 year old saying, " Oh, I really like this!" after each and every gift she opened. It makes me smile that the little boy who wished with all his heart finally had a dream come true. It gave me chills as the father of the bride stood and made a very emotional speech about his only daughter. These moments are priceless just as our family is priceless. Families go through highs and lows but the great thing is that we have each other no matter what.
This is something that Jeff and I hope that we can pass on to Baby Joe. That no matter what you will always have us. And once in a while stop and take in this family you have been given. The are a wonderful and caring group that you have been blessed with.


Baby Stuff
We went to the doctor today. Dr. G had us come in for another ultrasound. We needed to check in a couple of things that the Ultrasound Tech. couldn't locate at week 19.
1. Joe does have a face. When we were watching him move around on the screen we watched him put his foot in his mouth. (He is his Father's son) I do think this is a trait that comes from my side of the family but I will have you know that I never did that but I could mention 4 other people in my family who could put their feet into their mouths when they were very little.
2. Baby Joe is a Boy. Sorry Grandma Candy. We saw his parts again.
3. Joe has a stomach. Because he was so little it was hard to find his stomach during the week 19 ultrasound.
4. Joe has a measuring weight of 3 pounds. Most babies at this time weigh about 2 pounds. This means that Dr. G is now calling him Buddha Baby. He is going to be a big baby if he keeps growing that this rate. EEEK!
The plus side is that I am all baby so in a perfect world I should be able to drop that weight at a good rate.

Jeff Moments
Jeff and I will be attending birthing classes this coming weekend. Let's just say he is having a hard time finding the silver lining in this coming weekend. Wish him luck! Well, maybe wish me luck since I will have to listen to him the whole time. If some of you remember when we were going through our "Marriage Classes" Jeff did not do so well when we talked about natural family planning. He got up and hid in the bathroom until the class was over.


*** The picture aboce is Joe at 27 weeks. This is a front few of his face.

Week 25

Gee, I guess I am a little behind on the blog. Sorry about that. May is just flying by!
Work continues to be non-stop. I know that I keep saying that I need to slow down but I am finding it very hard to give up my workaholic ways. I have stopped picking up the kids and have stopped moving furniture but I am still working long hours. I keep saying that it will get better and it slowly has but it won't stop till the kids are out of school.

Anyways enough about work. We have taken down the bed in the spare room and have ordered the crib. It should be here in about two weeks. We have also finish our baby registries too. Looking at our house right now you would think that we have a few babies that live here. Jeff's cousins have given us some of their baby items from their kids. This stuff will work out great for the grandparents!

Joe has been moving around more and more. We have now been able to see my stomach move when he kicks. It's nice that Jeff has witnessed it too. Most of the time he thinks I am prego crazy and am making things up as I go.

Over the holiday week Jeff and I played 9 holes of golf at Phalen. We had a lot of fun. It was nice just to be together alone....well kinda alone. ;0) I am really working hard at staying busy but I have to say that sleeping at night isn't the best. We have a really poopy mattress and my husband is too cheap to buy a new one. ( we have been battling this for about a year now)
I also am starting to have shortness of breath when I really get moving. This freaks me out because it almost feel like my child hood asthma is coming back. I don't have any wheezing and I can regain normal breathing if I slow down a little bit.

Baby Stuff
from babycenter.com
Head to heels, Joe now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.


Jeff Moment

It is nice to see that Jeff is getting more and more comfortable around babies. He is even will to hold Jace ( Ramar & Courtnee's 5 month old son). He does great. However , the one thing that he is worried about and I won't lie I am to is how he will do during delivery. Yes, we are going to our " Delivery Class" but I am worried that he is going to pass out or better yet freak out. Anyone have any advice for poor old Jeff?



+++ Pictures above are of Jeff and I at a wedding we were at on 5-23-08 and for course the wonderful speed bump pictures. Moose Man had to get into one of the pics because he like to hug the baby now. Also please note that I do own normal pants but I prefer Jeff's fanel pants once I come home because prego pants suck to wear.

Week 23

We went to the doctor yesterday. Everything seems to be going well. I have only gained 2 pounds since my last visit. Which means the weight that I have been gaining is just baby!
This really made me happy because I have been really trying to make good choices when I eat.

Although, yesterday I did have cake and cheese cake. But it was my birthday so I had to celebrate it some how.

We will be going back on June 9th. Then my doctor wants to do another ultra sound to look at a couple of things that they were not able to see during week 19. She wants to see his face head on and a shot of his stomach. These are things that she is not too worried about otherwise we would have has an ultra sound yesterday.


It was a nice day. I worked a half day yesterday, went to the doctor, and spent time with Jeff.
We also started out baby registry at Babies R Us. I am planning on registering at Target as well but am won't drag Jeff through that. He was a trooper but I think the thought off all the stuff you"need" tends to freak him out.

The baby's room is moving along nicely. I think this weekend we will be able to move the bed and the desk out. Jeff will be making a trip to the dump too. We have really been trying to get rid of old stuff that has been just sitting around. We are still finding stuff from when his grandma and grandpa lived here.


Baby Stuff
Joe is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). His skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. He can swallow, but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when he hears them outside the womb.

Moose Moment
Poor Moose Man. Things are changing and he is on to it. Now that he is a little older we are trying to give him more freedom. Which means no more kennel when we are gone. For a while he seemed very happy with his new freedom or responsibility as I like to call it but he know that there is something going on with Mom. Not sure what but he is grumpy. He can't sit in my lap at night and he can't figure out why when he snuggles with me at bed time why he can't get comfy with that big tummy in the way. So he is trying new tactics to be close to his mommy and trying to avoid his found freedom. Take a look at the pic above.