Less Than 10 weeks to go....WOOHOO!!!

We are so very excited as we think about our little baby boy that is about to come into the world! We are so ready for him to come...and when we look at the amount of weeks left we are doubly (is that a word?!?) excited!! We have less than 10 weeks to go and so much still left to do. Butch and I were talking tonight about all that is left to be done in the nursery. I have a bookshelf and toychest I've had for 20+ years that Bro. Essary made for me when I was a child and we are going to sand them down and paint them to match Rylan's room. I've got to buy curtain rods so we can get his curtains up (I've got to iron them first - UGH!). And Molly is going to come and paint some characters on the walls after we get his other wall decorations up. So much to do, so little time! I never thought I would be rushed at the end. You always picture yourself being organized and having everything under control, but I wasn't expecting so many curve balls to be thrown our way! We will hopefully get everything done in time - if not, we'll still have the most important part of all this madness, our little baby boy in our arms! God has truly blessed us and I'm so very thankful to Him for all He's done!

Dr. Appt

Today I had a doctor's appointment with a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor, Dr. Gonzales. Since I have been testing my blood sugar due to the gestational diabetes, my levels have been up and down and I have been concerned. I called my OB doctor and she referred me to Dr. Gonzales. He basically told me what the diabetes meant and what I should do to help prevent the high sugar readings. He broke it down and made it plain as day for me - I have to stick with an 1800 calorie diet that consists of 50% carbohydrates, 25% fats, and 25% proteins. I have to eat at the same time every day and be very consistent. I'm looking at him thinking "how in the world does anyone manage to eat at the same time every day?? " We live in such a busy world with so many things to do, so many places to go...but Rylan is my #1 priority and I am going to do it with the help of God Almighty and my wonderful husband and family. The doctor even told me that it is very hard to accomplish, so he is giving me some type of medicine that I have to take in the evening and morning that is supposed to help regulate my blood glucose. I also have to have contact with his nurse every week to give her my blood glucose levels to see if they need to change the strength of the medication or whatnot. It's not like I didn't have enough to do...but it's a small price to pay for a healthy baby. I just have to keep reminding myself that God has not forsaken me - He is with me until the end. My faith and trust are in Him alone! He is my strength when I am weak...

28 weeks

Our little baby is almost 16 inches tall now (nearly as tall as he will be at birth), and close to three pounds (a weight that will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling — by delivery time). His wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface. This fat, called white fat, is different from the earlier brown fat that the baby accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation while white fat (the fat I have) actually serves as an energy source.
Which explains why our energizer baby feels so…well…energized! Space in Rylan's living quarters is now at a premium, so I'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. But those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because he is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light, and any sugar I ate 30 minutes ago!! (which I don't get much of now that I have to watch my blood sugar count)

I've been feeling pretty good, but I have some pretty rough days. I guess the gestational diabetes are taking their hold on me. A lot of times I feel really crummy and I hate it! But the good thing is that I have my little son to remind me everything is going to be ok - after all - what else could his little kicks and pokes mean?? He loves to make me feel better! I can't wait to be holding him in my arms and know that I will have his love forever! God is such a rewarder....because Rylan is such a reward from God.

Valetines Adventure

For our Valentines Day, Butch and I went to Oak Mountain State Park for the afternoon. We had a really great time. First we ate our lunch that we brought and ate at the picnic tables and then we went sightseeing around the park. It was so beautiful and perfect weather. The lake was amazing with the sun light beaming off of it and the ducks and geese swimming around. Then we went to the petting zoo and horse riding stables. They had some beautiful horses that were running around enjoying the weather. I know we enjoyed seeing them have fun! We talked to the guy that runs the stables and he showed us some of his horses that he has won trophies on and they were GORGEOUS! Then we went to the petting zoo part and had goats following us around! There were sheep and baby sheep, donkeys, goats, shetland ponies, pigs, chickens and peacocks. It was pretty awesome! We can't wait to bring Rylan there to see the animals. We had lots of quality time together and enjoyed each other for our last Valentine's Day with just the two of us. =)

3D ULTRASOUND

We have scheduled our 3D/4D ultrasound for March 5 (I'll be 30 weeks) and Butch is so excited!! I'm not certain of my feelings on having it done. One side of me wants to wait and see what he looks like when he's born, then the other side is curious a little. I had already convinced myself that I wasn't going to do the ultrasound, but Butch is really wanting it. Plus, we can confirm the fact that He is indeed a Boy! If he is indeed a she I don't know what we're going to do!!! But I'm pretty sure he's a boy. I'm not really worried about that. The picture above is obviously a 3D ultrasound picture showing the similarity of what he actually looked like at birth. It's pretty awesome of how it works, but freaky in a sense!

Just for an update on Week 27 & 28 - his eyes can finally open in the womb and he can see light changes depending on where I am. I have also put a flashlight against my belly and he kicks at the bright light! He is about 15 inches long and weighs about 2.4 lbs. He got hiccups for the first time on Sunday morning! It was so funny watching my belly jump every time he hiccuped (if that's a word!) And as I stated above, his little face is completely formed to look like what he will look like at birth, but he will have some more fat on his little chubby face! His hair is growing and he is constantly gaining weight and putting on baby fat. We are getting closer and closer to the birthday of my little boy!!! I am so ready for him to come so I can hold him and be the best mommy I can be! Children are such a reward from God and I'm so thrilled that God has allowed us the chance to raise Rylan in the Truth! What an awesome opportunity....

What causes gestational diabetes?

Your body changes most of the food you eat into glucose, a form of sugar your body's cells need for energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from your blood into your cells.
In gestational diabetes, pregnancy hormones increase glucose levels to meet your baby's growth needs. When you eat, your blood glucose levels stay high for a longer period of time compared to when you weren't pregnant. Your body tries to produce more insulin to handle the added glucose you are producing, but it is still not enough. You have developed a problem called insulin resistance. The result is high blood glucose levels during pregnancy - or gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs in about 7% of all pregnancies. As part of routine prenatal care, women usually have a blood test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy to determine if their blood glucose levels are in the normal range. Those at high risk for gestational diabetes may have this test earlier in their pregnancy.
Managing high blood glucose levels is important to reduce you and your baby's risk for diabetes - related complications. Your healthcare provider and diabetes-care team will help you develop a diabetes treatment plan with the goal of keeping your glucose levels in the normal range.

A Bump in the Road...

This past Thursday, February 5th, I had my 26 week check up and my glucose test. I was told to fast after midnight. My appointment was at 8 am and I was starving!! My mom went with me so I didn't have to sit there for an hour alone. And, boy am I glad she came. I had to drink this pure sugar drink and wait for an hour and then they pricked my finger to check my glucose level and my iron. Well after waiting for a while after I had the blood drawn the doctor came and got me. She told me the news no first time pregnant mother wants to hear - "you are a gestational diabetic". My mom said I pretty much zoned out after she told me that. I really don't remember anything she told me about what it meant. I just wanted to get out of there. I couldn't breathe and I wanted to cry so bad. I felt like I had done something to cause this condition....or that there was something I could have done to prevent it. I spent the next few minutes getting out of the doctor's office and into my car and let out the most tears I have ever cried. I called Butch and he told me to meet him in Bessemer where he was working because he wanted to be there with me. I couldn't even get my words to come out when I was on the phone with him. So I went and met him and he got into the car and just held me for a while, while I cried, yet again. I was no good for nothing that day....every time I thought of my unborn son I would just weep and cry and pray for his safety during all of this. I spent most of Thursday crying and just embarassed that I let this happen to Rylan.

The doctor's office referred me to an Gestational Diabetes educational nurse at the hospital and she called me Thursday afternoon and simply told me that it wasn't my fault and that I had not done anything to cause this and that I would not have a 9 lb. baby like everyone has been telling me (unless it's just something that runs in our family). She set up a time to meet me on Monday, Feb. 9 to go over what gestational diabetes is and what I needed to do. Butch went with me to our appointment and Ms. Martin made us feel a lot better about the whole situation. We left there with a lot of information to consume. I'm only allowed to eat 4 carb servings for each meal, I have to eat snacks between each meal with 1-2 carb servings and the worse part - I have to prick my finger 4 times a day to check my blood sugar levels!!! I do have to keep a food diary of everything I eat and keep up with my blood sugar levels on a sheet to turn in to the doctor on my check up.

So today, my blood sugar levels were normal due to the fact that I ate within my carb allowances. Don't think I'm starving - I can have any amount of proteins, fats, and non-starchy vegetables. It's actually a very healthy diet and I'm tempted to stick with it even after Rylan's born because it's so easy!

Just keep me in your prayers that my sugar levels will stay normal and everything will turn out ok for the next 12 weeks that we have left. God is good and I'm thankful that I was made aware of this condition to do something about it!

Butch's Surprise Birthday Party

(L-R) Don Tucker, Mark Tucker, Butch and Sloan Crim
Maggie and Don (they are expecting a little one in July!!)

Jeanise, Sloan and John Lee Crim (10 months old)

Butch and I on the top of a huge mound at the park.

Butch's cake from Publix..yumm...

I have been planning a surprise birthday party for Butch since the beginning of January. We had it at his brother's house in Moundville, AL. Most of the people I invited showed up and we had a great turnout! Since this was the Big 30th Birthday I wanted to show my wonderful husband how much he meant to me and give him a little get together with some family and friends. He has been working so hard and doing so much for me and our little baby boy!! He was completely surprised and had a really good time. We took a lot of pictures and then most of us went to Moundville Park and walked around and looked at the Indian Mounds and had a good time together. I definitely got my exercise for the month!! Just kidding! It was great to be with friends and family - it's been a while!

It's A Work In Progress....

Ok...so we are finally getting somewhere with the nursery. We finally got the crib put together and moved the chest and glider rocker into the nursery. I actually feel like it will get done now! For a while it seemed as if nothing was coming together and that Rylan would be sleeping in our room permanently! But he is going to have a room of his own = finally! We still have several things we are doing for his room that are really cute and I can't wait to get them done!! (In the pictures the wood color looks black, but it's espresso, so it's like a dark coffee color) It look so awesome in person and I'm so happy with the furniture pieces we picked out. But anyway....just wanted to share the progress even though it's not a whole lot!

Dresser/Butch's Birthday

So yesterday....I was finishing up some stuff and the FedEx guy pulls up!!! I was so ecstatic because I knew it was our crib and dresser we ordered for Rylan's room! Bless the poor guy's heart. He was probably almsot 60 years old and the crib weighed 86 lbs. in the box and he was struggling to get up our porch steps. You would think they would give them a little something to help them with transporting big boxes like that. He told me he needed a forklift! Then once we get the crib in the house, he says he has another one and it's even heavier. (which I already knew) The dresser weighed in at 110 lbs. I wish I had taken pictures of this man. I'm sure he is pretty sore today from trying to carry that weight. I was just worried about him dropping the boxes and messing up my nursery furniture! Anyway. So I called Butch and told him that the crib and dresser were finally here and he said he would come straight home from work so we could get one of them out and start working on it. He got home about 3:45 and we chose to work on the dresser because if we put the crib together in our living room, it would have to stay in our living room!! It's too wide to fit through the door! Butch had a Bible study at 6 pm and he told me he could work on the dresser for an hour and then he would have to start getting ready to leave. So we worked on it and it was pretty simple. I got very scared when I looked in the direction booklet and saw that it was ONLY pictures! But we survived through it. I think we did a pretty good job. The only thing that was left to do after Butch left the house for Bible study was the drawers had to be put together and I had those done when Butch got home. We are so ready for Rylan to come. We are hoping to have the nursery finished soon and that will make a world of difference to me....cause I have had the feeling that it was never going to get finished!!! But we're getting there. I sat awake last night thinking and suddenly realizing that I have 13 weeks left until I meet my first born son. I'm so proud and excited about what is to come.

Today is Butch's birthday, his 30th! I was awake at 3:30 this morning when his alarm clocks were going off - mainly cause Rylan decided he wanted to wake up and play soccer or whatever it is he was doing! So I got up and fixed some coffee for my birthday boy, Butch, and enjoyed the morning with him. I told him that next year he would have a 9 month old son here for his birthday to celebrate with him! He got excited about that. He thinks it's hard to leave home now and go to work...just think when that baby boy is here. But he does go to work for Rylan and me...so he says. =) He's the best husband and daddy -to- be I've ever known. I can't explain how much I love him. He is my best friend!!

26 week photos

26 weeks

We had a employee dinner at Butch's boss's home and we had a little time so we let Mom take some pictures of us together since we haven't had many taken of the both of us since I've been pregnant. I think they turned out really well. Just wanted to share a few of them with ya!

Nursery Progress...

Butch and I got home last night and I saw that the glider rocker I had ordered for the nursery came!! Butch was saying that he was going to get his clothes ready for work and go to bed and I was trying to peek in the box to see what the glider rocker looked like in person since we ordered it off the internet. So Butch said he would open the box so I could look at it. After he opened it he got excited about it being the first piece of nursery furniture that we've received. So he decided he wanted to put it together - hey, I wasn't fussing!!! So we put the rocker together and took a few pictures. Our living room was a mess with all the pieces everywhere, but we got it all put together and we both sat in it and imagined ourselves holding Rylan and rocking him to sleep...we are so anxious!!!