Do I love going to the doctor? No, I really don't. But I was quite shocked what I found when I was looking at my calendar a few days ago.
I have gone to some kind of doctor's office or clinic at least once a week for the last 22 weeks! That's 5 months! And a lot of weeks I went more than once. I'm pretty sure I've had more appointments in the last 5 months than in the whole rest of my life combined.
Before Kaitlyn was born I was going to my Obstetritian's office to see my doctor, have ultrasounds, get non-stress tests, and have blood work done. I also went to a specialist for gestational diabetes and a physical therapist for my lower back pain.
Since Kaitlyn has been born I have gone back to my OB's office for a check up, had more blood work done and gone back to the diabetes specialist, taken Kaitlyn to her Pediatritian several times, and gone to the Breastfeeding Clinic at the hospital a few times.
And after 22 weeks of going to those places - this week we finally have no doctor appointments scheduled! We actually don't have any scheduled until 2 months from now, when we take Kaitlyn back to her Pediatritian for her 4 month check up and shots. Hopefully we won't need to take her in for anything before then.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tired of Tired
Yep, that's what I am! Tired of being tired.
This week (week 8) I had to do another glucose test. Those are just so fun. After doing the one hour and three hour tests while I was pregnant, I now got to do a two hour test. The good news is that I no longer have diabetes! Hurray!
The bad news is that I have a good chance of getting gestational diabetes again with future pregnancies, and of developing type 2 diabetes. My doctors want to keep giving me these annoying tests: when I finish breastfeeding, as soon as I get pregnant again, and then pretty much for the rest of my life. Oh well, I'll try not to think about that now.
Kaitlyn has had a good week. This week she has started smiling a lot more. Yesterday she started fussing and I went over to her and smiled real big and said "hi!". She stopped fussing and smiled back at me. It was really fun to see her make the switch from crying to smiling when she saw me.
Twice this morning I saw Kaitlyn staring at her hands. This is the first time I've seen her doing this, and it is exciting because I know that it is a step in the direction of her learning what those things can do.
Kaitlyn likes going places with me. Everywhere we go is a new opportunity to see new things. She also likes that when we go somewhere I hold her so much. When we're at home I am always trying to take a shower, eat dinner, or do laundry. But when we go to visit a friend, to church, or a play group, I just hold her and she is happy to be close to me as she looks around at all the new things, has a little to eat to calm down from all the stimulation, and then has a nice nap in my arms. I enjoy this time with her too!
One new place we went this week was our first MOPS meeting. Mothers of Pre-Schoolers is a group that meets at our church for moms and kids preschool age and younger to get together. I'm looking forward to getting to know some other moms there, learning some new things, and doing a Bible study with some of the moms from the group.
Here's the pictures from Week 8:
Playing in my diaper and socks!
I'm a Little Lady!
Hi there!
This week (week 8) I had to do another glucose test. Those are just so fun. After doing the one hour and three hour tests while I was pregnant, I now got to do a two hour test. The good news is that I no longer have diabetes! Hurray!
The bad news is that I have a good chance of getting gestational diabetes again with future pregnancies, and of developing type 2 diabetes. My doctors want to keep giving me these annoying tests: when I finish breastfeeding, as soon as I get pregnant again, and then pretty much for the rest of my life. Oh well, I'll try not to think about that now.
Kaitlyn has had a good week. This week she has started smiling a lot more. Yesterday she started fussing and I went over to her and smiled real big and said "hi!". She stopped fussing and smiled back at me. It was really fun to see her make the switch from crying to smiling when she saw me.
Twice this morning I saw Kaitlyn staring at her hands. This is the first time I've seen her doing this, and it is exciting because I know that it is a step in the direction of her learning what those things can do.
Kaitlyn likes going places with me. Everywhere we go is a new opportunity to see new things. She also likes that when we go somewhere I hold her so much. When we're at home I am always trying to take a shower, eat dinner, or do laundry. But when we go to visit a friend, to church, or a play group, I just hold her and she is happy to be close to me as she looks around at all the new things, has a little to eat to calm down from all the stimulation, and then has a nice nap in my arms. I enjoy this time with her too!
One new place we went this week was our first MOPS meeting. Mothers of Pre-Schoolers is a group that meets at our church for moms and kids preschool age and younger to get together. I'm looking forward to getting to know some other moms there, learning some new things, and doing a Bible study with some of the moms from the group.
Here's the pictures from Week 8:
Playing in my diaper and socks!
I'm a Little Lady!
Hi there!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thinking
Today I had to go to the hospital for a two hour glucose test. Because I had gestational diabetes they are now testing me to make sure that I no longer have diabetes. So I had a few hours away from Paul and Kaitlyn this morning which gave me some time to ponder my new life as a Mommy.
It's still quite strange for me to go out by myself. Sometimes I just stop and think, "Is this for real? Do I really have a husband and daughter at home waiting for me?" It's still hard to believe. And then I think about how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family.
It's also amazing how my feelings can change so quickly. Just last night I was fed up with Kaitlyn crying and eating and making messes and I needed a break, and then this morning after a short time away from her I missed being with her.
I've also noticed that it just feels strange to go somewhere without her. Like I'm missing a part of myself. I carried her with me for so long when I was pregnant, and now I have her with me most of the time. So when she is not with me, it's almost like I don't know who I am.
I've heard that babies have to learn that their Mommy is a seperate person than they are, just like they have to learn that their hand is a part of themself that is always there. I feel kinda like a baby in this respect, that I still need to learn that I am a seperate person from Kaitlyn.
After pondering these things during my two hours at the hospital, I heard one of my favorite songs on the radio on my way home, which of course made me cry. Here are some of the words:
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
God gives me so many blessings, and I need to remember to keep thanking Him for them. And even if a few things are taken away right now, like my sleep and time for myself, my heart will choose to say, "Lord blessed be Your name!"
It's still quite strange for me to go out by myself. Sometimes I just stop and think, "Is this for real? Do I really have a husband and daughter at home waiting for me?" It's still hard to believe. And then I think about how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family.
It's also amazing how my feelings can change so quickly. Just last night I was fed up with Kaitlyn crying and eating and making messes and I needed a break, and then this morning after a short time away from her I missed being with her.
I've also noticed that it just feels strange to go somewhere without her. Like I'm missing a part of myself. I carried her with me for so long when I was pregnant, and now I have her with me most of the time. So when she is not with me, it's almost like I don't know who I am.
I've heard that babies have to learn that their Mommy is a seperate person than they are, just like they have to learn that their hand is a part of themself that is always there. I feel kinda like a baby in this respect, that I still need to learn that I am a seperate person from Kaitlyn.
After pondering these things during my two hours at the hospital, I heard one of my favorite songs on the radio on my way home, which of course made me cry. Here are some of the words:
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
God gives me so many blessings, and I need to remember to keep thanking Him for them. And even if a few things are taken away right now, like my sleep and time for myself, my heart will choose to say, "Lord blessed be Your name!"
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Another Week, Another Post
Week 7 has flown by! This week my niece Lori turned 13 and we went to a birthday party for her. Kaitlyn and I went to a baby shower for two ladies from our Sunday school class. We visited one of my friends at her house. We went to two Mom and Baby groups. And we had to take Kaitlyn to the doctor to get her first shots!
Paul and I were pretty nervous about taking Kaitlyn to get her shots. But she did great. She screamed for about 10 seconds until I picked her up and was able to calm her down. And then she was fine. Our doctor told us that many babies are either more fussy or more sleepy after shots, and fortunately Kaitlyn was the sleepy baby. She slept a lot that evening and the next day. And she now weighs over 11.5 pounds!
Here's a picture of Kaitlyn and me at the baby shower with our friends Sarah and Jacqui and their babies Ben and Miriam:
And here's Kaitlyn. She's starting to like her toys!
Paul and I were pretty nervous about taking Kaitlyn to get her shots. But she did great. She screamed for about 10 seconds until I picked her up and was able to calm her down. And then she was fine. Our doctor told us that many babies are either more fussy or more sleepy after shots, and fortunately Kaitlyn was the sleepy baby. She slept a lot that evening and the next day. And she now weighs over 11.5 pounds!
Here's a picture of Kaitlyn and me at the baby shower with our friends Sarah and Jacqui and their babies Ben and Miriam:
And here's Kaitlyn. She's starting to like her toys!
Friday, September 10, 2010
6 Weeks!
Oh my, how did we make it to 6 weeks already? I've heard a lot of people say that the first 6 weeks are the hardest, so in my mind I have kept the 6 week mark as the first goal to reach. And now here we are. So now things get easy, right?
Honestly things are getting easier. Life is feeling a little more "normal", if there is such a thing. It's getting easier to take Kaitlyn places, which allows me to see more people and not be stuck at home.
This week Paul and I had our first date without Kaitlyn. My parents got to play with her while we took off for a few hours to some places that we used to go when we were dating and first married. It was nice to have time to have fun together and have conversation other than, "Can you get me that?" and "Could you do that for me?"
Today Kaitlyn and I went to a play group with other moms and babies from our Sunday School class. It was so nice to connect with them again, after missing them during the summer, and see how the babies are growing.
And Kaitlyn is growing all the time too! When I picked her up this morning I asked her if she had grown overnight. She felt bigger. And she is much more alert and able to look at things. She sure is a cutie!
Playing with Daddy
Our Sleeping Beauty
Honestly things are getting easier. Life is feeling a little more "normal", if there is such a thing. It's getting easier to take Kaitlyn places, which allows me to see more people and not be stuck at home.
This week Paul and I had our first date without Kaitlyn. My parents got to play with her while we took off for a few hours to some places that we used to go when we were dating and first married. It was nice to have time to have fun together and have conversation other than, "Can you get me that?" and "Could you do that for me?"
Today Kaitlyn and I went to a play group with other moms and babies from our Sunday School class. It was so nice to connect with them again, after missing them during the summer, and see how the babies are growing.
And Kaitlyn is growing all the time too! When I picked her up this morning I asked her if she had grown overnight. She felt bigger. And she is much more alert and able to look at things. She sure is a cutie!
Playing with Daddy
Our Sleeping Beauty
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday Morning
I have never been a morning person. 5:00 AM has never been a time when anything other than sleeping sounded like a good idea. But this morning at 5:00 AM I was happy to get up to feed my little girl.
When I woke up to her little cries and looked at the clock, I realized that she had been sleeping for 7.5 hours. A new record! I got her up and fed her in the quiet of the morning, with some of my favorite worship music playing. Kaitlyn just stared at me while she ate. After she ate we snuggled and rocked for awhile and listened to the music. And then we both went back to sleep for a little while before it was time to get ready for church.
After the scramble to get all three of us ready for church, I enjoyed going to Sunday School to be encouraged and enjoy some time to talk with friends.
When we came home from church, we all three took a nap. Exactly how Sunday afternoons should be!
Tomorrow morning I may not be happy to get up at 5:00 AM, or whenever my little sweetie decides I should get up. But today was a great morning. Even at 5:00 AM.
When I woke up to her little cries and looked at the clock, I realized that she had been sleeping for 7.5 hours. A new record! I got her up and fed her in the quiet of the morning, with some of my favorite worship music playing. Kaitlyn just stared at me while she ate. After she ate we snuggled and rocked for awhile and listened to the music. And then we both went back to sleep for a little while before it was time to get ready for church.
After the scramble to get all three of us ready for church, I enjoyed going to Sunday School to be encouraged and enjoy some time to talk with friends.
When we came home from church, we all three took a nap. Exactly how Sunday afternoons should be!
Tomorrow morning I may not be happy to get up at 5:00 AM, or whenever my little sweetie decides I should get up. But today was a great morning. Even at 5:00 AM.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
5 Weeks!
We made it through week 5 and Kaitlyn had her first trip to my parents house to play with Grandma and Grandpa. We also got to see her aunt, uncle, and niece! I couldn't believe that she hardly took any naps the whole day.
Kaitlyn also had her first trip to church. I tried to keep her awake for a few hours before we went to church so that she would sleep through church and not make any noise. It worked, she slept through the whole thing. Here she is all dressed up and ready for church:
As you can see she is laying on her changing table and staring at the wall. She absolutely loves doing that!
And here she is trying out a new toy for the first time. You can see she didn't like it too much. Maybe next time.
This week Kaitlyn set a record of sleeping 7 hours straight. We are looking forward to when that becomes normal.
Kaitlyn's case of thrush is getting much better. Mine is not getting better as quickly.
Yesterday evening Paul, Kaitlyn and I went for a long walk. It was a beautiful and warm evening and nice to be outside. Kaitlyn enjoyed a few minutes of the walk at the beginning and at the end, but slept through most of it. The rolling stroller is just such a nice motion for sleeping! By the end of the walk I was in a lot of pain! I guess I am not fully recovered from giving birth yet.
Kaitlyn is definately making progress holding her head up. It is so fun to watch her hold it up, especially when she is trying to look at me. And she is so much better and looking at things. I like to move my head from one side of her to the other and watch her follow me with her eyes. She is still having trouble with gas and spitting up, but she is still our little sweetheart.
Kaitlyn also had her first trip to church. I tried to keep her awake for a few hours before we went to church so that she would sleep through church and not make any noise. It worked, she slept through the whole thing. Here she is all dressed up and ready for church:
As you can see she is laying on her changing table and staring at the wall. She absolutely loves doing that!And here she is trying out a new toy for the first time. You can see she didn't like it too much. Maybe next time.
This week Kaitlyn set a record of sleeping 7 hours straight. We are looking forward to when that becomes normal.
Kaitlyn's case of thrush is getting much better. Mine is not getting better as quickly.
Yesterday evening Paul, Kaitlyn and I went for a long walk. It was a beautiful and warm evening and nice to be outside. Kaitlyn enjoyed a few minutes of the walk at the beginning and at the end, but slept through most of it. The rolling stroller is just such a nice motion for sleeping! By the end of the walk I was in a lot of pain! I guess I am not fully recovered from giving birth yet.
Kaitlyn is definately making progress holding her head up. It is so fun to watch her hold it up, especially when she is trying to look at me. And she is so much better and looking at things. I like to move my head from one side of her to the other and watch her follow me with her eyes. She is still having trouble with gas and spitting up, but she is still our little sweetheart.
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