Halfway!

I can not believe I am halfway already. this pregnancy has started flying by (as has the rest of this year). I had my 20 week appointment and can say that I finally have answers and these answers make sense.

The specialist noted that my ob would not be doing the anatomy scan but the tech still went ahead and scanned for growth. She read parts of the report to me and the specialist was not completely honest w/me stating that he was certain it was not amniotic banding syndrome. Anyway, she did the scan and (of course) was perplexed at this band once again. After checking out the baby and he's fine she went and got the ob. In 35 seconds dr falany had determined that I have 2 placentas instead of one. The specialist told me that I had anterior placenta, which is true but the anterior placenta is considered an accessory lobe and is not attached to the baby; the posterior placenta is the one that is attached and providing nourishment. The band is a placenta band and it is connecting the top placenta to the bottom one. The blood flow to/from the cord looks good and baby is FINE in there. His heart rate was 147. The ob really thinks that I had 2 babies but that one did not attach, yielding in disappearing twin and additional placenta. We will never know for certain because I didn't have my first ultrasound until 12 weeks.  She does not want me laboring on my own. She said that she was going to have a meeting w/everyone in the office (other obs) and they would all determine if that was in fact the right decision. they would schedule my c-section for 39w and if I go into labor early, I am not to labor on my own at all. She does not want me to end up w/an emergency c-section. The reason for the section would be this...the band is right near the baby's hand. He plays w/it but it does not bother him, nor does he get 'stuck'. During labor, contractions squeeze the baby down and then out. There is a chance that he could grab onto the band (he would be fine) and break it. A breakage in placental tissue would result in hemorrhage and could be potentially deadly for me, which is something that no one wants. My ob said that she was going to call the specialist and reveal what she found as well as send over the reports from my scan today. The baby was 5oz 19 days ago and yesterday, he doubled his weight and was 10oz so he's growing just fine.



They also read the report from the specialist to me and what he told me and what he reported were different. He told me that I had uterine scar tissue...the report states, possible amniotic banding syndrome OR possible scar tissue.




I'm really glad that I finally have an answer that actually makes sense. I go to the specialist nov1 and back to the ob in 3 weeks. I left there with such a sense of relief. I really felt like a boulder had been lifted off of me.

20w (sorry for the crappy phone pic, I haven't uploaded all of my sessions from this weekend yet)!

Pumpkin Patch

We met some friends at the pumpkin patch on Tuesday. While it was fun, I realized just how out of control my kids are. They act like they are kept cooped up and when they are 'released' they go nuts. I mean, running constantly, jumping like bunnies and just being insane. You can add not listening to that. Conner does better than Parker but it's hard on me. I have decided that I'm buying an umbrella stroller (and not a cheap-y one but not a 150+ one either) and I'm going to start using it to confine them when they don't listen. The new baby will need to like one too so it's a win, win. Anyway, I did snap a few photos and one of the friends we met is another photographer and snapped some too.

She's FAB and if you're in Atlanta and don't like my work, check out her website. You won't regret it! Here are the few she took. For the image of just me, she called me a princess. haha!

Here are my crazy boys. I didn't even bother editing all of them :) It was fun and everyone was happy and stayed that way.

So What Wednesday

This week I'm saying so what to

So what that this week well be short. I don't have time to do a long one. whatever.

I'm embarassed at my kids' behavior. They are so crazy and insane all the time. I do not know what to do about it.

I've gained more than a pound a week during this pregnancy so far. I hate it but...I'm not really eating everything I see.

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday w/another photographer. she got a pic of my HUGE belly. I don't even care. Put that shit on FB and tag me. :)

The kids are going to the school's pumpkin patch today. I got them dressed and P got cha-cha mok (chocolate milk) on his. I took it off, scrubbed the milk off and threw it in the dryer. He's wearing it today.

I joined a new gym yesterday. It's way cheaper...it's not open yet. My YMCA membership expires 12/1 and this one opens mid-late Nov so we're good there.

Happy Wednesday, peeps. have a great hump day (and I hate that expression, hump day, stupid)

Quiet moments

It's not very often that my house has any quiet moments. Yesterday, Parker was napping and Conner had brought his train stuff up from the basement playroom. I was folding clothes and he was playing. When I realized how he was playing, I grabbed the camera.

And because it's Tuesday, that means a new week on my pregnancy ticker. Next week, I am officially half way. I wish I had something to report but I don't...19w belly

October 15

Today is October 15;It’s Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day.

 I don't speak of my miscarriage very often and honesty, it is something that I have tried very hard to not let define me as a person. Did it change me, yes; how could it not? However, without that loss, I would not have the two kids I do now. It was a horrible time for me; people, FAMILY members, said some really horrible things to me. My husband was wonderful though the whole thing. It was right before Christmas. We were so excited to see our baby on the ultrasound machine; I was 9.5 weeks and had no complications (spotting) to indicate that anything was wrong. Then we get that news...no heartbeat and baby measuring 3 weeks behind. devastating. The only thing I regret about the whole thing was not getting an additional ultrasound. It probably would not have mattered or changed the outcome but that was always in the back of my mind.I chose, what I thought, the easy way. Take a pill and it would be over. Mistake. I wound up missing more work 10 days later to have a d&c done. The D&C...easy; that was the easiest part. For Christmas that year, I received maternity clothes....from people who knew what had happened. like I really wanted them. It sucked. It's the reason I started this blog and I have 2 beautiful healthy boys; for that I'm thankful. 

On this day, at 7 p.m. your time, grieving families light a candle for their babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or early perinatal death for one hour. As each time zone extinguishes their candles, the next one will light theirs, creating the continuous Wave of Light across the world. Please light a candle tonight for the many many families that have experienced a miscarriage, still born or infant loss.

Friday Five

This week's 5..Five things that annoy the snot out of me (becuase I'm in a mood. Neither kid has slept in 2 nights which means I haven't either).

• Kids waking up at all hours of the night. I don't mind babies waking up b/c they really probably are hungry or whatever but a 2 and almost 4 year old waking up and yelling....mmmmoooommmmyyyy is NOT fun. 
• Having kids that don't sleep get up before day light is even outside. Conner even asked why it was dark if it was morning....um, b/c you are up way too early dude. 
• Kids that bounce off the walls constantly and are grounchy and tired. The same kids won't nap. 
• Being late and getting behind the slowest car is GA. It always happens. I get in the car 45seconds late and if there's not real traffic, I'm not really late but then there's that one car...
• Opening the fridge to get coffee creamer and realizing I'm out of my fav. I still have some but it's not the same. I get one cup of coffee...I want to enjoy it not just like it. 

There's my grouchy rants/five. What are yours? Link up and let me know :)

hmmmm

I've been trying to think of something to blog about and I've got....nothing. really? It's odd. My kids are in school 3 days, well mornings, per week. I have Parker on Tuesdays but it's not like we plan a lot in those 2.5 hours that Conner is at school.

I have started back at the gym this week (I hurt so good today) and am LOVING it. I'm really hoping that exercise will combat some of this water retention I am seeing. By the end of the day, my legs are so swollen. Dare I say that I might have cankles at 18 weeks?! That seems SO early to me. I am sore and Josh made the comment that I probably should have confirmed w/the specialist that I could work out again. I told him that just because I'm sore doesn't mean I'm overdoing it, I just haven't done anything in so long! He agreed and then stopped talking about it. I mean, I could always call the specialist but if the ob says it's ok, I'm going with that.

My kids do not have school today. I have tons of work to do. Maybe I should have done that instead of mani/pedi yesterday but we're getting family pics done on Sunday and I wanted a mani/pedi. Speaking of kids....these 2 are crazy today. I have NO idea what I'm going to do with them. It's supposed to be nice later but who knows. The weather has been pretty wonky lately. One minute it's sunny, the next it's dark and looks like the sky will open up.

There's my nothing for today. Tomorrow, come back and see 5 more favs!

So What Wednesday

This week, I'm saying so what to...

I went to the gym yesterday. I wore shorts. my legs are not shorts approved anymore. I just had to remind myself that I am pregnant. One of the first things that happen during pregnancy is muscle atrophy. In addition to that, I was not allowed to work out so my muscles didn't get used for 6w...more muscle atrophy. That means flabby low tone legs. GROSS.

A big kid (4-4.5) kicked Parker yesterday after school. I said, 'hey, hey no kicking'. He cried and his mom gave me a dirty look. I don't give a crap! Don't kick my 2 year old, big kid. I'm certain she no longer likes me. Again, I don't care.

I went to target after the gym and bought new workout pants...you know ones that will fit to hide those legs.

I tried to wear leggings and a cardi yesterday...FAIL. I took off the leggings and put jeans on. Much better for my self esteem.

Josh asked how much weight I have gained. I will never tell him.

I'm beyond excited about our family portraits this weekend.

What are you saying so what to this week?

Tummy Time

Every time I write 'tummy time', I think of that show on Disney Jr Timmy Time and I think how stupid that is since I'm 30 something. LOL

I have been feeling more kicks/punches lately and that's always fun. Conner has questions every single day about what he will get to do when the new baby gets here. "Can I hold my new baby?" "When my new baby poops, will you change the diaper or will Daddy?" "What are we going to name the new baby?" It's cute; Parker just knows there's a baby in my belly and he will kiss my belly button. Sweet boys.

18w.

Weekend News

How was your weekend? Ours was fun and busy! I had several different shoots, some w/new clients and others with long time clients. I love seeing old ones and meeting new ones. Conner had soccer on Saturday morning and Josh was not working, yay! After soccer, we just went home and the kids played outside until I left for my shoot. Nothing spectacular. After my shoot we had hot wings and watched football. Sunday, I got up early, headed out to photograph another photographer (HUGE compliment) and then headed home. I had a few hours between shoots so we decided we'd take the kids to a local dairy farm. It was really windy but we just threw on hoodies and went on with our plans.The kids had a great time, so did the adults :)