Hadley Max Lewis

I am a mommy! Hadley Max Lew was born Tuesday November 18 at 3:51 pm. He weighed 6 pounds 7.9 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. He is absolutely beautiful and perfect. More later, but for now here are some pictures.

Dr. Appointment

Well, yesterday was yet another doctors appointment. But this one definitely topped any previous appointment! Here are the basic stats:

Weight: don't even want to mention but...+6 pounds
Blood Pressure: 130/78 (a bit high...keep reading)
Baby's Heart Rate: around 130 (same as usual)
Dilation: a little over 1 cm
Baby's Head: still down and touchable upon dr. exam

That all sounds pretty good, and right on par with previous visits. However, there were a couple other issues yesterday. The main one was the protein that was in my urine test. Based on a combination of that, my blood pressure being slightly elevated, and the enormous amount of water I am lugging around in my swollen legs (a.k.a. tree trunks!), the doctor was worried about the possibility of preeclampsia. So, he sent me to the hospital to be hooked up to a monitor for the baby and to have a bunch of blood work done. At first I didn't think much of the fact that he was sending me, but when I arrived (alone, I should add...Eric didn't go with me to the appointment this time assuming it would just be a routine visit), the nurse had me in a L&D room, put on a hospital gown, and climb into bed. Yikes! At this point I was beginning to freak out just a little bit! So there I was, for about two hours, hooked up to a monitor, listening and watching Baby Lew's heart, feeling every single contraction (yes, there were quite a few), having many viles of blood drawn, and feeling just a little bit alone and scared! I wasn't so much worried about the baby (who, according to the nurse and the monitors is doing absolutely wonderful!), I was just thinking, "this was not supposed to happen today...I was just supposed to go to the doctor's and then go home...what is going on???" Well, eventually my lab results came back and everything looked okay. So the doctor released me and just said to try and take things easy until this baby comes. I go back to the doctors office on Monday and at that point he said we might talk about induction sometime next week. So, that is where we are right now. It looks like my body is about ready to say "that's enough...I'm ready to get this baby out!" and that is totally fine with me! So the next week or so should be pretty interesting. Stay tuned...

38 Weeks

I go back to the doctor again today so I will have that update later, but here is the latest picture of the belly. Only a couple weeks to go. Any guesses how long I'll make it?

Labor and Delivery

Here's my latest confession...I am working towards being completely terrified about having this baby! This weekend I read the "Labor and Delivery" chapter in my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book, and I've got to say...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? That does not sound like something I want to do!! I know, I know...there will be a great reward at the end of it all. But right now, all I can think about are those frightening words I read!! To all my current pregnant friends, I do not suggest you read ahead in the book. And to all my friends who are moms...seriously?!?

The one thing I did find humorous as I read were the many times, in speaking to the "coach", it made references like "don't worry if your partner seems annoyed by you" or "don't get upset if your partner seems irritated by this." It was as if they were specifically warning Eric since I tend to get "annoyed" and "irritated" by so many things these days! I was sure to point out to him that even the book said that was okay and normal. (He didn't find it quite as funny as I did!)

Marshmallows

...and not the yummy kind you toast over a campfire!

This is what my feet and legs look like at the end of the day. Isn't that a lovely site?!?

Another Dr. Appointment

The doctors appointments are happening weekly now, so that seems to be my main updating right now. Here are today's stats:

Weight: +5 pounds (ridiculous!)
Blood Pressure: 112/78
Baby's Heart Rate: 128-130
Baby's Head: Still down

Today was a fairly uneventful visit - nothing really exciting to report from the doctor. We talked about contractions (which made me think about them more today and then actually have some - ouch!). The swelling in my feet and ankles is absolutely ridiculous, and I blame the recent weight gain(s) on all the water I am toting around with me. I honestly think that each foot weights about 10 pounds...that's what it feels like anyway! Other than that, I just feel really, really pregnant! Fun stuff!

Dr. Appointment

I had another doctors appointment today so here are the stats:

Weight: +6 pounds (holy macaroni!!)
Blood Pressure: 124/78
Baby's Heart Rate: 135-140
Dilated: 1 cm
Baby's Head: still down and touchable upon examination
Swelling: unrecognizable feet and ankles!
Comfort Level: pretty much non-existent

Everything still looks good. As far as the enormous weight gain, I really shouldn't be that surprised. When I think back just two weeks I can tell a difference in how big my tummy has gotten. It's almost like I just woke up one day and BAM! there was this great big thing! So I blame it all on Baby Lew (oh, and maybe a little bit on my nightly Little Debbie donut stick snack!). I had the test today for Strep B, so I guess I'll find out those results next week. (Not really a big deal - just have to see if I am a carrier.) They also examined my cervix for dilation and I am at about 1cm. She did say the baby's head is right there (she felt it) but there should be no worries about anything happening for a little while still. My feet and ankles have started to just stay puffed up like marshmallows all the time now (which again, she said was normal and nothing to be that concerned about because all my tests each week show that there is no high blood pressure issue or high glucose or protein issues). Mostly it is just really annoying and a little painful. I have had to buy new shoes a couple sizes bigger just so I can stuff my gigantic feet into them (real attractive!). Sleeping has become a challenge, and I spend the majority of most nights in the recliner instead of bed because it is a little more bearable. I guess that is just preparing me for what is to come. So overall, I just look and feel really pregnant. But that is okay...only a month left and it will be completely worth it!

36 Weeks

I am now 36 weeks pregnant...that means only a month to go! Wow! Here is a picture from today so you can see how Baby Lew (and Momma Lew) are growing.

Long Overdue Update

Apparently I have been really bad about updating this lately. I won't try to make up an excuse, except to say...this working full time thing again is taking up all my time and energy! When I was last working full time I was three months less pregnant than I am now, and I can really tell a difference! I am absolutely pooped at the end of the days! But, I really like my new job and I think it was worth the wait and worry of finding something here.

So...a run down of the past several weeks...I'll start with the most current and work my way back...

Right now Eric is somewhere in Oklahoma at a pig show and sale. To be honest I'm not exactly sure what town, I just know it's a big show with somewhere around 900 hogs. Doesn't that sound like a ton of fun?!? And I am at home and Eric's parents are here as well. They are in the process of putting together Baby Lew's dresser/changing table while I am sitting here not helping and doing mostly nothing. Moral support...that is what I am providing.

A couple weekends ago Eric was in the panhandle area (Amarillo, Sunray, Panhandle, Canadian, Lubbock, etc.) all weekend doing the same thing he is doing now...looking at hogs and going to sales. Unfortunately, that weekend involved a lot of cold rainy weather, a lot of time in the pickup, and not much luck with the purchasing of hogs. It made for a long, wet, cold, and mostly unproductive weekend for them. (Glad I was not along for all of that!)

The week before that (which was also my last week on "vacation") Eric had to go to the State Fair because he had some kids showing heifers, so I went with him one day. I had actually never been to the State Fair of Texas before, so now I can say I've been. Besides going to the heifer show and hanging out in the barn area, we did walk around some. However, it was warm and I am not really interested in walking much these days so I know we didn't get the whole "fair" experience. It was enough for me, though!

And going back even farther...the week before that my mom (aka Nanny) came and visited for the week. We did a lot of shopping (or rather "looking") and had a really nice visit for the week.

Okay...so maybe that will get me a little more caught up. Everything with Baby Lew is going well...he seems to be growing a lot these days. I can tell a pretty big difference in my stomach size in the past couple weeks (nothing fits anymore!). And I can also tell a difference in my own "comfort" level...which is pretty much non-existent. I'm not really sleeping much (or very well) these days, and spend most nights in the recliner instead of the bed, but I guess that is just good preparation for the sleepless days and nights to come! Baby Lew is moving all the time, which is quite entertaining to watch, and it makes me think he is getting anxious about getting out of that cramped little space. I am getting excited to meet him and see who he looks like and what his little personality will be like. How exciting!

Dr. Appointment

I had yet another doctors appointment yesterday so here are the latest stats:

Weight: +3 pounds (I seem to be gaining all the weight here at the end!)
Blood Pressure: 124/80
Baby's Heart Rate: around 140 (same as it has been all along)
Baby Lew's twisting/turning/flipping/kicking/rolling/etc.: All the time!!! (hilariously entertaining!)
Baby's Weight: probably between 4-5 pounds (approx. by the doctor)

The doctor said everything looks good and I am right on track. At my next visit in two weeks I get to have a Strep B test (?) just to see if I am a carrier, so that is something to look forward to (note the sarcasm here!). After the next visit I will have to start going in every week - that means it is getting really close!

Everything else is going well - just busy right now with the new job and trying to get in a routine. I will try to update soon about it all.

Gainfully Employed!

Yippee!! I finally got a job! And only 7 weeks before Baby Lew is due! (Nice timing, huh?) But, regardless, I can at least get started and learn as much as I can before he comes. So, where is this great new job you may be wondering...I will be working at North Central Texas College in Gainesville as the Institutional Advancement Accounts Coordinator. Basically I will be doing all the accounting for the NCTC Foundation scholarship program, as well as the Ex-Students Association. It should be a really interesting and time-consuming job (which is actually good for me...I like to stay really busy at work). My first day will be this coming Monday, so my "vacation" time is quickly coming to an end. I guess I will try to take as much advantage of these last few days as possible!

Dr. Appointment

Here are the stats from today's doctor's appointment:

Weight: +2 pounds
Blood Pressure: 136/78
Baby's Heart Rate: 140's
Baby's Head: Still down!

I am measuring right on track at 32 weeks and everything looks good. My blood pressure was a little higher today than it has been so I have to monitor it every day for the next two weeks to make sure it doesn't go up more, but other than that everything is okay. Sometime soon (as soon as possible according to the nurse) I need to go do all the pre-admission paperwork at the hospital so I guess that is on the agenda for sometime in the next week or so.

31 Weeks

Here is the latest "pregnant" picture from today. I am 31 weeks and counting...

Mrs. Lewis - Substitute

My first day of subbing yesterday went okay. In the morning I was in Physics and Engineering classes, and in the afternoon I was in computer classes. Some of the kids knew or figured out who I was (aka Mr. Lewis' wife) and some didn't have any idea. I actually had a couple kids twice because of being in two different teacher's classes, and some I saw even more than that because I hung out in the Ag building during my lunch and conference period. Overall it was an okay day and hopefully I will get called to sub again soon.

Dr Appointment Update

Today was another doctor's appointment. Here are the stats:

Weight: +4 pounds
Blood Pressure: 122/72
Baby's Heart Rate: 130's
Baby's Head: Down!

Everything looked and sounded good today. My blood counts and glucose test from last time all came back right on track so that is good. I'll go back in two weeks for my next visit.

In other news...tomorrow I am subbing at Callisburg HS. That should be fun!

Babies

Baby kittens that is...

So, a couple weeks ago Eric's parents brought us two cats - a momma cat and one of her boy kittens (a few months old). We got them to hopefully chase away (or kill) the critters outside. Eric had mentioned a couple times in the past week that the momma cat looked like she might be having more kittens, but we didn't know that for sure. Well, tonight when we went out to play with them and feed them he said her tummy didn't look as big as it had last night. (I, on the other hand, would have never even noticed that!) So, we went exploring and sure enough, there in the shed where they sleep were three tiny little black kittens. Unbelievable! So, we are now the proud parents of not two but five cats! Fun stuff!

26 Weeks

This picture a few weeks past due since I am about 29 weeks now, but it's the latest "pregnant" picture I have right now. I will try to remember to get Eric to take another picture sometime in the next week.

Baby Shower

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from the baby shower at my job in Abilene. The wonderful people I worked with were sweet enough to have the shower for me before we moved.

Cute

I found these pictures on our camera the other day and remembered I wanted to post them on here. This is my sweet friend April's little girl Marcella. She and Eric made fast friends...although I think there might have been some specific reason she was drawn to him! :-)

"Look at my new hat, momma!"

Here you go, Eric, you can have it back now.

Dr. Appointment

Yesterday was my doctor's appointment and sonogram, and everything is still looking good. Here are the current stats:

Weight: +1 pound
Blood Pressure: 108/62
Baby's heart rate: 150
Baby's weight: 2 lbs. 8 oz.

I had the lucky fortune of getting a big shot yesterday (Rhogam because my blood type is A-) and getting to drink some yummy orange drink and then having my blood drawn for the glucose screening. Sounds like fun, huh! I go back in two weeks (yep...I'm already at the point where I get to go every two weeks) and hopefully will find out that the glucose test came back okay. Baby Lew was not quite as active for this sonogram as we was the last, but he is still just at cute (or at least I think so!). He was sound asleep this time and was hiding his face with both his hands and his feet. But they said he looked great, and everything (stomach, kidneys, brain, heart, etc.) appeared to be in proper working order.

In other news...today I had a job interview at a bank in Gainesville for a teller position. I think it went okay, so now I will just wait and see. If that doesn't work out I am just going to substitute teach in Callisburg for now. We will see...