Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend. We had the girls rooms (that sounds and looks strange) painted pink and ours having one wall painted dark brown. Melanie's room is a soft baby pink and Allie's room is Pepto-Bismol pink. It has taken a couple of days (for me) to get adjusted but Allie LOVES IT!! She is so excited about her new pink room. She even said bye-bye to her old paint on Friday night. As for the nursery, we have the crib, changing table, and dresser set up. Brett and Allie surprised me Saturday night with the baby and Allie's rooms organized and the master bedroom put back together along with the new bedding on the bed. They were so proud of themselves. I was more surprised that Allie actually helped and stayed out of trouble while Brett installed new outlets in the baby's room. Brett and I wrapped up the weekend installing blinds and curtains in the baby's room and trying to keep Allie from climbing on the crib. I know that Allie is trying to figure out a way to get into the crib so she can snuggle with her sister when she arrives.

6 Pounds and 5 Inches in 4 Weeks??

My doctor's visit yesterday was an eye opener. I gained 6 pounds and my fundal height increased by 5 inches in 4 weeks. Considering I've gained only 13 pounds overall, my doctor wasn't too worried. It was when she measured my stomach, I got the "look". She measured me at 32.5 inches and told me that this could be a bigger baby than Allie (GULP!). Some good news: my ankles are still normal, my glucose test came back normal, and I can't see any stretch marks, so far. I will start seeing my doctor every 2 weeks for the next month and then weekly. She did tell me that she'll schedule my c-section for the week before my due date. So we are planning to have the baby around Sept. 20. We decided on the name Melanie since Allie is telling everyone that's the name of "our baby". It wouldn't matter what we named her, Allie would call her Melanie.

We took Allie to see her first movie at the theater today. We saw "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland" and ate popcorn. She did really well and stayed in her seat most of the time. However, the novelty of the experience wore off about 30 minutes into the movie. We'll see how she does the next time.

That's Cool Mama!

Allie came with Brett and I to hear her sister's heartbeat for the very first time. She was so excited this morning that she was waiting for us. When Dr. Dale placed the microphone on my stomach, Allie's eye got huge and she exclaimed "That's cool Mama". Dr. Dale offered to let Allie hear her own heartbeat but she declined, only wanting to hear the baby's. As for me, I gained 3.5 pounds (which puts me at 7.5 pounds in 27 weeks- only 13 more weeks to go!) and my blood pressure is normal. I take the gestational diabetes test next week. I've been having Braxton-Hicks the last couple of days which have been rather uncomfortable and tiring. I don't remember having them while I was pregnant with Allie. My dr. gave me this big scientific explanation and then told me to get use to them. No love from her. And on another note, Brett and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary today. It's amazing how much our lives have changed since that day.

Allie Loves Her Sister, For Now

Well, I only gained 2 pounds this time (thanks goodness). I was actually surprised since I've been eating Pringles and peanut butter and chocolate ice cream lately. And no, not together. My blood pressure (111/64) and the baby's heart rate (142) were both normal. Only 17 weeks to go! Allie has been so great with the whole "I'm having a sister" idea. She loves to talk to "sista" and rub and kiss my belly. I know things will change once the baby is here. My Mom suggested I record Allie doing and saying all of these sweet things because in about 8 years, Allie will be probably screaming at her sister to get out of her room.

Sonogram #2

I had another sonogram today to take more pictures of the baby's heart. We saw the 4 chambers working and definite confirmation that it's a girl. Her girl parts were in clear view. Allie thought it was "cool" to see the spine and the bowel. It was funny to hear a 3 year old say the word "bowel". I have another doctor's appointment next week. I can't wait to see how much weight I gained this month (ya right). Until next week...

It's Another Girl!

We had the sonogram today, and it's a girl!

Baby News

I went to the OB/GYN on Wednesday and to my disbelief, horror, shock (place your own adjective here), I gained 5 lbs. in 1 month! My ever reassuring doctor said that I’ve netted 2 lbs. (PHEW!) However, she said that if I continued to gain 5 lbs. per month every month, then she would have my jaw wired shut. Brett was able to go with me to hear the heartbeat (and see the scale). I have been a nervous wreck all month because Allie elbowed me in the stomach, which hurt for 2 days, so hearing the heartbeat provided some relief. I don’t remember ever being this neurotic while I was pregnant with Allie. The ultrasound is scheduled for May 15 and Allie will be seeing the baby for the first time. She’s actually counting down the days! We will also know if the baby will be named Garrett Michael, Melanie Olivia (or Anne) or Caroline Michelle. Allie likes Melanie but she’s 3 and will probably want to change the name to someone’s in her class.