Things are about to get crazy...

I have been meaning to write this blog update for about 2 weeks, and life has gotten so busy that I haven't been able to! I don't even remember all of the things I wanted to write about anymore!

I had my third study appointment on May 16, at 28 weeks. We got to see our little boy again, via 3D ultrasound. It was kind of cool... and kind of creepy. He had some rather large lips, and a very wide set nose. I left hoping that the baby didn't come out looking the way he did on the ultrasound, and I think Jaymeson left wondering if the baby was actually his. (joke.) Good news is, I have heard that most 3D ultrasound pictures make your baby look like they have bigger features, because they are so squished in there.Cross your fingers!

We found out that the baby is head down, butt up-left, and feet up-right, and he's not going anywhere because he doesn't have any room to move! We also found out that the baby is measuring 2 weeks bigger than he's supposed to be, and I am measuring 2 weeks bigger than I am supposed to be. They said that either he's going through a growth spurt, or I'm more than likely going to have him early. I'm not really sure which one I am rooting for.

I had my regular doctor appointment on May 17, where I did the dreaded Glucose test. It really wasn't as bad as everyone makes it out to seem. I was nervous I was going to end up with Gestational Diabetes, but luckily I am all good. The only issue they have found is that I am a little bit Anemic, so I need to get a little bit more iron into my system. Easy schmeazy.

I did end up switching to a midwife group, and I'm actually very happy! The midwife I met spent a lot of time in the beginning answering a lot of my questions and concerns. I really loved that she focused a lot of time on making sure I felt comfortable and understood everything I needed to know. I also really loved that she spent a lot of time talking to me about how their goal is to make sure that the birth is what I would like it to be. She even told me that I could make a birth plan if I wanted, but that their job was to ask questions and get answers from me and do it the way I want it done, as long as neither mine or the baby's safety was at risk. I am so grateful that I switched! I feel so good about the midwife group.

I have started teetering between going natural and an epidural again. I think it's more of the fear of the pain that is starting to make me chicken out. I really am a baby.

Now, onto crazier things! Are you ready for this?

I am officially crazy.

I am taking a second part time job with Jet Blue Airlines, starting one week from today. And I'm kind of freaking out about it a little bit.

I'll be honest with you. The absolute only reason I am taking this job is for the flight benefits. I get free flights for myself, my husband, my kids, and my parents. Plus a number of buddy passes per year. The pay is not good at all, but I feel like I'd be a fool not to take this job, JUST because of the flight benefits. My family is all in Texas, so I never get to see any of them. Plus, I am a penny pincher. So we never go on any trips or vacations because I am always worried about saving the money. I'd like to be able to go on vacations with my little family, and not spend the entire time worrying about budgets and what's in what account.

For this job, I have to average 16 hours per week, in a 4 month period. And I get to work from home. They provide a phone and a computer. There are health benefits (that I will not be taking advantage of), the flight benefits, and pretty good paid time off benefits. They seem like a really fun company to work for (parties, take your kid to work day, etc), with lots of room for growth.

I am also going to keep my current full time job at the disability law office, although I will be dropping down to 30 hours a week. I have a really great position, and I have been doing this for almost 4 years, and they have been really good to me. I will be going back to work after I have my baby. I'm not sure to what capacity yet, but I will be working at least 30 hours per week, for insurance purposes.

So, my life is about to get crazy. Starting one week from today, I will have to attend a mandatory 4 week, FULL TIME, training with Jet Blue. I will also have to continue working full time at the law office. On June 10 orientation, we get to bid for our shifts based on seniority. My training group obviously has the least seniority, and within the training group they base seniority off of your age. I'm pretty positive I am the youngest in my group, so I will probably have the crappiest shift for the first 4 months until we get to bid again! After the 4 week training, I will continue regular hours with the law office, and commence my schedule with Jet Blue.

Like I said, I'm freaking out a little bit.

It's going to be so so hard, and I'm going to probably want to rip my hair, and everyone else's hair out on a daily basis. But I'm really, sincerely, hoping that it will be worth it once the training is over.

One thing that I am a little worried about with Jet Blue, is that you are not allowed to schedule any time off during the first 90 days of employment. That puts me somewhere in mid September before I am allowed to schedule any time off., which is obviously after my due date. I AM allowed to switch shifts, or give away shifts,  but I hear that it is kind of difficult to do that when you work the crappy shifts, which like I said, will probably be mine. So, my concern is that I will be scheduled for shifts, and then I will go into labor, and then I won't be able to get them covered, and then I get fired and lose all of my cool flight benefits. Gah!

SO... if any of you work for Jet Blue, or know someone who works for Jet Blue, please let me know! I'd like to find someone who would be willing to pick up my shifts (if any) last minute while I am in the hospital delivering a baby. That would help me out so much, and I would love you forever!!

Anyways, on to other updates. Jayah is in her last month of Kindergarten Prep before she starts Kindergarten in August. I can't believe she's so big! She had a dance recital this past weekend, where she got to be the wicked witch, and she was so so cute! We also took our maternity pictures yesterday, by the beautiful and wonderful Kristin Gaul. (click to see her website). I am so excited to see them.

AND my best friend is coming to Utah this week!! I can't wait to see her! I am taking a day off to spend with her and her cute family, and then we are taking some maternity pictures together (because she is due less than 2 weeks after me!) It's gonna be awesome!

Stay tuned for more updates! :)

Another Pregnancy Discussion: Birth Plans

Now that I am in my third trimester, I have been thinking a lot about the actual labor and delivery of this baby. I started writing my birth plan today and realized that I should probably write more than "Please don't hurt me" and "Make sure the baby has all of his body parts before handing him to me." (Kidding... sort of.)

So I'd like to get some opinions and advice from all of you that have given birth at least once in this lifetime.

What are some common (or not common) things you included, or wish you had included in your own birth plans? And why?

PS, I have switched to a midwife and will be delivering my baby, with a widwife, in a hospital.

PPS, I have also decided (I think) to delivery naturally, with the option of a walking epidural if I can't handle it.

I am open to anything, so don't be shy!

Meet Bella

For Jayah's fifth birthday, we decided to get her a puppy. And since she doesnt get a little sister this year, we decided on a girl puppy. 

Meet Bella. Our American Bulldog puppy. 

This was on the second day we got her, the day we gave her to Jayah.

This is when we bought her a bed. It matches her cute collar and everything!

 She's pretty cute, huh? Well cute is all she is! I have never had a dog before, so she has been somewhat of a challenge for me. Sometimes I am sure that I hate her. I just hope and pray that this puppy is no indication of how I will be as a mother...

This is trying to take her on a walk. She definitely hates her leash.

In her defense, she has gotten a lot better. She has less accidents and doesn't bark and whine all night. Jaymeson thinks she gets a little jealous of me because every time we sit on the couch together, she barks and snaps at me. That is the only time she barks or snaps at anyone, except the little kids in the neighborhood who try to carry her around like a baby. Jaymeson is also sure that she is going to become my best friend, so much so that I will want her to sleep with us. I disagree. She stinks!

Jayah sure loves her though!

The day Jayah met Bella.

Getting Bella's first shots.

 In pregnancy related news, I am now 25 weeks and very fat. I feel the baby kicking constantly, and sometimes I am sure he is break dancing in there. 

Feeling pretty good these days, think I am starting to get a little heartburn though...

Anyone know of any heartburn solutions? (other than Tums)

...I have started to crave things like mustard and sour skittles. In which I haven't been holding back one bit. Probably why I have gained 16 lbs! In the words of my nurse, "Wow, you sure have jumped up!" Thanks. My belly measured at 24 centimeters though, so I guess I am "right on track". 

My next appointment is the glucose test, and also my first shot in the butt. And then I will be in my 3rd trimester. Woot! 

Did I mention we bought a house? We closed a month ago. I love it! It's nice having our own space and having room to just be. It is mostly put together, but I am sure things will always change. Our neighborhood is super cute, with a park right in the middle of our little square. There are TONS of children for Jayah to play with. I can even watch her at the park from my kitchen! One of our neighbors said it is like recess all the time out there. It was a long and hectic process to get here, but we are finally here!

  

 

Oh yea! I got a Samsung Tablet! Happy birthday to me... 4 months later. My dad got me an Amazon giftcard for my birthday that I have been just waiting to find the perfect thing to use it on. I wanted to buy a crib with it, but Jaymeson and my dad convinced me that I needed to use it on myself. It was hard, because I dont like spending unnecessary money, but they were right! Sometimes you just need to spoil yourself. And I cant remember the last time I did that! I love it so far, but still getting used to the Android system. 

Speaking of that, does anyone know how to watch tv shows for free on this thing? I dont mean like on Netflix, I mean current shows. How am I supposed to keep up to date on American Idol without cable!?

Jayah had her first school pictures a week or two ago. She is just so cute! She is loving her Kindergarten Prep class. She also had Kindergarten Orientation last week! I can't believe she is FIVE and almost in Kindergarten! 

April 2013

Jayah eating milk and cookies at Kindergarten Orientation.

 She started a soccer class at her school. They flew in some Brazil soccer players for a 7 week soccer camp, and she is loving it! I am so impressed by how talented she is athletically. Jaymeson and I took her to the park last week and played some soccer with her and she did so well! I can't wait for her to start on a team and to be able to be her coach! I miss soccer so much! 

 

She is also enjoying her dance class. She is quite the little ballerina! She is having a performance this summer where they are dancing to the music from The Wizard of Oz. She gets to be the wicked witch! Her teacher has been so impressed at how well she is doing, that she even gets to have a solo or two in the performance

Anyways, I think that is all for now. Work has been super busy, but I will try to post more often. See ya next time!

Baby Boy Roush

We are having a baby boy!! He's super cute and super healthy, and he's got all of his organs and body parts! Even Jayah was excited it was a boy!

We had my NuMom2Be Study Thursday night, where Jayah was able to come with us. The first thing we did was the gender ultrasound. Jayah was hugging on my arm and laughing, and only slightly disappointed that it wasn't a little sister. But we told her the next one would be. :) It was really cool because we got to see him opening and closing his mouth and sticking his tongue out. He was even holding his legs up over his head with his hands. Poor guy looks so so squished in there! We got a video of the ultrasound, which is really cool. We can watch it at home on our DVD player, but so far that's the only place we have been able to watch it.

Perfect Baby Boy

 

The next morning, we had my regular doctor's appointment with Dr. Evanson (who I am still not a huge fan of. Maybe not her, but the whole experience at her office.) Just me and Jaymeson this time. We did another gender ultrasound first thing, confirming that it really was a boy, and then she showed us all of his organs and everything. We got another video of this ultrasound with the heartbeat. I am trying to upload it to the blog, but it's not working.

After the ultrasound, we met with the doctor and talked about possible "birthing plans". I'm still honestly, very unsure of how I want the delivery to go, other than non-complicated.

His perfect little foot.

 

We are very excited for a baby boy. Jaymeson has had the name picked out since we started dating, but I'm still warming up to it, while looking around at other options. We have also decided to do a Dallas Cowboys nursery. I figure if I'm having a boy, he's probably going to follow in his Daddy's footsteps and play football, rather than his Mommy's and play soccer. I'm ok with that though. It will be cute to watch him grow up learning to play football with his dad.

Also a major plus: His dad is super handsome, so he's bound to be super handsome too, right?

My next appointment is in 6ish week. I'll be 24 weeks and a little more than halfway through... thank goodness.

Other Roush news: Jayah turns FIVE in a little over a week! How crazy is that?! She is getting so big and learning so much in her Kindergarten Prep class. She is also starting a mini soccer camp with her school coming up. I'm really hoping she loves it, because I would LOVE to be her soccer coach. She's learning about teeth, and the days of the week, and even learned the letter "Q" this week. She already knows that quiet and quick start with letter Q. She knows how to spell her name, Mommy, Daddy, love, baby, and a few other words she loves. And she has my phone number memorized.

His perfect little.... boy parts.

 

Jayah and I are also performing in "Music Man" in a few weeks. We are just in the chorus, but it will be fun to be on stage and dance with her. She did "Annie Get Your Gun" last year, and made the cutest little piglet, and townsgirl. This year, she is also a townsgirl, and a perfect little drummer. I just get to stand on stage looking fat, in a pretty blue dress. :-P

We are also, hopefully, moving soon. We have kind of kept this on the down-low, but we are BUYING A HOUSE. We haven't said anything because we have had so much bad luck with home-buying. But this one, is hopefully working out! I've been really frustrated with my realtor, and also the lenders. It seems like every day they tell me something else that they need, pushing out the closing date further and further. We've been "about to close" for about 2 weeks now. As of yesterday, we should close by this coming Friday. I hope that's true, because we only have 2 weeks until we have to be out of this apartment!

If any of you are master cleaners and/or painters, we could use your help! We have to clean and paint our new house before moving in. And then we have to super clean this apartment to avoid their ridiculous moving out fees. All the while, me being pregnant, and unable to do most of those things.

 

 As for pregnancy sickness, it seems to be getting better, but still there. I always think it's getting better and then it comes back to bite me in the butt. I really really really REALLY hope it goes away soon, because I hear it comes back with the 3rd trimester. I still haven't felt the baby move yet, but hopefully (I think hopefully) soon. The ultrasound technician said he's kicking me all over and has his head buried in my bladder, so maybe it's a good thing I can't feel him just yet. ;-)

 

5 more months until we get to hold him in our arms!!



 

 

 

 

NuMom2Be

At my very first prenatal appointment, I saw a sign on the door of the bathroom for a new mom study. Requirements were that this had to be your first pregnancy or you have had no more than 2 miscarriages under 20 weeks, and you had to be in your first trimester. So I thought, sure why not? I looked into it, and was chosen to participate.

It is a University of Utah study, called NuMom2Be.

The purpose of the study is to find out why so many first time pregnancies have complications or turn to miscarriage. You have one appointment per trimester, where they run tests, do a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound (3D during 3rd trimester). Then at delivery, they take samples, and wah-la! I'm done.

Did I mention this is all free, and I'm compensated for my time?

The coolest thing about it is that I get 3 extra ultrasounds that I wouldn't normally have. Yesterday was my first appointment, at almost 12 weeks.

 

Baby at Almost 12 Weeks

Baby is certainly starting to look like a baby. We still think it's a boy, and it's looking like he's going to be tall like his Daddy and big sister. Also, baby is growing pretty fast, because my due date has changed 3 times! First it was August 7, then based on the growth of the baby it was August 4. As of yesterday, the due date is August 1.

I have mixed feelings about the due date moving up, because I want the baby to come to us as soon as possible (healthily), but also, I have this weird thing about wanting to not have a baby-baby on our first wedding anniversary. I guess it would be ok, though, if the baby came early enough before our wedding anniversary, that I could go out with my husband and celebrate while not looking like a whale. (not likely)

Sometimes I get sad when I look at my facebook cover photo and think, "I'm never going to be that skinny again." At least, my genes are against me. Boo.

Back to the point of this post, the appointment was cool. It was at the IMC hospital, where I plan to give birth. Which is also the hospital where Jayah was born. It went just about how my 6 week appointment was. They took some blood from me, I did a urine test, pelvic exam, and an ultrasound. I also spent close to an hour doing an interview with the Research nurse. Basic questions about my overall health. In depth questions about my family health history, and even more in depth questions about my eating habits in the months prior to my pregnancy.

The bummer thing is that all of this information is anonymous. I am just a 10 digit number. So I'll never get the results of any of my testing. They also keep samples of everything they take from me for future testing. You know, in case they find any correlations with anyone else.

I was worried that Jaymeson wasn't going to be able to make it to my appointment (because his work sucks), but luckily he was able to get there right on time. We are 3/3 on appointments with Jaymeson. Hopefully we can keep that track record going all the way through pregnancy.

One (cool) thing that I learned through filling out questionnaire after questionnaire, is that my mom had the Rh Factor Issue as well, which resulted in 4 of her miscarriages. Her blood type is O Negative, as well as 3 of my other siblings, which could be the only reason why we survived to full term. Which is also weird because normally you get the blood type from your father, and my dad is not O Negative  Luckily, that was 20+ years ago, and technology and medicine is much more advanced than it used to be. Maybe I will be able to have other babies after all. :) That is, if I feel like I can survive pregnancy/child birth a second time.

Another (not cool) thing that happened at my appointment, is that my records are under a different name. So when they printed my ultrasound picture for me, it said Heather Cheney. Gag. Luckily, the Research nurse was nice enough to black out the name on the photos for me. :) So now I need to go get my Roush License ASAP, so I can get in there and change my name with the hospital. I don't want to see that ever again, especially on my ultrasound pictures! Does the whole name changing process ever end?

Next study appointment is in March, where they will confirm the sex of the baby. We will have our normal appointment a week or so before that one, so it really will just be more of like a confirmation. But still cool!

I want to thank all of you for your comments to my previous post. I love reading everyone's opinions and it has definitely helped me to consider things I probably wouldn't have normally considered. I am always open to opinions of others. Like I said before, I am very uneducated on all things baby-making, so I appreciate all the help I can get! 

A Pregnancy Discussion

I have always thought, of course I'm going to breast feed. And of course I'm going to a hospital to give birth. And of course I'm going to get an epidural. But now that I'm pregnant, I'm starting to wonder if those are really the right decisions for me and my baby.

So, I want to hear from you mommies...

Why did you choose to breastfeed? And specifically, you mommies that chose not to breastfeed, what helped you to make that decision?

What was your method of child birth? Were you at the hospital? Did you do at home birth? Did you choose the bathtub approach? And why? Are there other options?

What are the pros and cons to epidurals? Is it worth it to try (key word) doing it naturally? Are there really any risks to the epidural?

Hopefully this discussion can help me to feel more comfortable, and confident in the decisions I make about this pregnancy. I'm still learning so much, and I feel like I'll never know everything I need to know in time. It's all so overwhelming to think about! And I still have 200 more days!

Side Note: 

Check out this HILARIOUS Week by Week Pregnancy Blog my friend introduced me too. Even if you aren't currently pregnant, if you have ever been pregnant, or someday want to be pregnant, it's pretty funny.

10 Week Baby

I had my 10 week appointment today. Jaymeson and Miss Jayah came with me. I was so excited for her to actually get to see Baby. She talks to him (we think it's a him) sometimes, and always kisses my belly goodnight, but I wanted her to really get to see him.

So off we went, before school, to see the wonderful Dr. Marilee Simons, whom I love. I did the standard tests with the nurse, (side note: They always ask if I can do a urine sample, and I always say "I'll try." And every time, without fail, I can. Pregnancy...) and then Dr. Simons came in. We talked about the pain in my left side, which is now completely gone. But before it disappeared, it got worse and weird. My left side was swollen, my left rib was sticking out, and it felt like there was something there every time I would bend that way. But it's all gone now, and it's all good.

All other pregnancy symptoms have pretty much disappeared, or I've just really got this whole pregnancy thing down. I don't have weird cravings, or any cravings for that matter. I hardly have morning sickness. I don't really have to pee a lot. My boobs aren't sore. I have only thrown up a few times. I don't have swelling. I don't have cramping. I don't have back pain.

My only pregnancy symptom is meanness. I am a mean pregnant person.

At my last appointment, they took 7 or 8 viles of blood from me. I got a recorded messages stating everything was all good, (you know, no STDs or anything) but she wanted to run over all the tests with me anyways. I like that about her,  she explains everything. One interesting thing I found out is that I am Blood Type: O Negative. O Negative is the rarest blood type. I can donate to almost anyone, but only O Negative can donate to me. Also one crazy thing about O Negative, is that if the babies blood is a Positive Blood Type, my blood could potentially attack the baby... which would obviously cause lots of problems.

She gave me some reading to understand the situation more. It's the Rh Factor. Most people have the Rh Factor, which means they are Rh Positive. I am one who is Rh Negative. Basically that means that if my blood comes in contact with someone's blood who is Rh Positive, I become sensitized and I will start to produce antibodies that fight the Rh Factor as if it were harmful. Once the antibodies are formed, they don't go away. Good news is, I don't currently have any antibodies

So during pregnancy, the mother and the fetus do not share blood systems, but sometimes a small amount of blood from the fetus can cross into the placenta into the mother's system. If that happens in my case, I become sensitized and create antibodies to attach and break down the baby's blood cells. That causes anemia, which can potentially cause severe illness, brain damage, or even death to the baby.

For a first time pregnancy with an Rh Positive fetus, the baby is usually born before my body would develop the antibodies, so there will most likely not be any problems unless there is some sort of traumatic injury before delivery. However, in a second pregnancy with an Rh Positive fetus, the antibodies are already developed and will most likely cause anemia. 

Lots of information to take in. For now, I have to get a shot on my butt, every appointment starting at 28 weeks up until delivery, to monitor the development of antibodies. Then if I am pregnant again, I will have to have shots every other week or so, and probably have a more high risk pregnancy. Yay....

After we talked about all of that, Dr. Simons wheeled in her little ultrasound machine, and we got to see Baby. At first I was really nervous, because he was not moving at all and I couldn't hear a heart beat. Then I laughed and the baby sort of bounced, and then started moving all over the place. We saw his little hands and feet moving around. We saw him rubbing his face and waving his arms. We even saw him roll over. It was the cutest thing! Jayah was so excited. She kept asking if the baby could see her, and kept talking and waving to him. She is so excited to have a little sibling on its way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Baby rolled over.

Here is Baby facing forward.

.
My next appointment is in 4 weeks, and then the appointment after that we get to find out if our "he" is really a "he". I can't wait to find out and to start creating the nursery and buying baby stuff!

Scratch That

The real secret to terrible sleeping and back pain is a pregnancy pillow.

Thank Heavens for pregnancy pillows.