25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks!

How big is Baby? 13.5 inches, 1.5 pounds, and the size of an a head of cauliflower.

Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds.

Maternity clothes? 90% of what I wear. I am loving jeans. I am still wearing my regular scrubs though, but I may have to move up to a bigger size soon. :-(

Stretch marks? Not yet.
Sleep: I am doing much better. I am averaging about 7 hours a night!
Best moment this week: Assembling his furniture and making our home look like a baby lives here!
Movement: LOVING it! He is VERY active!
Food cravings: fruit and veggies.
Gender: It's A BOY!!!!!! Nicholas Allen Ledford.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? That's another thing. I can tell it is starting to move towards the outside. My laparoscopic scar at the base of my belly button that has always been on the inside is now on the outside! AH! I don't think my scar has moved anymore, but I'm watching it!

What I am looking forward to: Easter weekend. It will be the first time some family has seen me since I have a bump!

Milestones: 15 weeks or less!!!!!

We received his bedding today, but it is at my parent's house waiting on my first shower. I am trying to resist the urge to take a little trip over to look at it! My mom said she is very happy with it, so I am excited to see it!

Nicholas Has A Place To Sleep!

It is finally starting to look like a baby lives here! Around 9:30 this morning I got a text from Michael who spent the first hour of his day off doing this...

Here is a shot of the room so you can see the color and the bright white crown molding (the reason we went with white furniture). I LOVE how it all looks together! (I have not idea why my carpet looks gray, it is actually a really, really light beige.)

I am SO EXCITED to have all of his furniture together and now we get to do the fun part...decorate! Like I said yesterday I have two canvases coming, a couple of wall hangings I found at BRU and my glider to put in the room. I am trying to decide between white sheers and white curtains for his window. What do you think? The green will be too hard to match I'm afraid. The afternoon sun comes in that window, so I'm afraid the sheers will not give enough shade.

I don't plan to give you too many more sneak peeks into the nursery until it is all finished, which will be around the first of June after all of my showers. However, I can't wait to give you the grand tour then!

Happy Doctor's Day!

In case you didn't know, today is Doctor's Day They work long, hard hours every day and they deserve a day for them! On that note, Happy Doctor's Day to my two awesome bosses, Dr. Barker and Dr. Smith! I love working for you both and hope to do so for many years to come!

I told you a while back that I had an idea for Dr. Smith's Dr Day gift when he went to Haiti, but I couldn't say what (you know, just in case he is a reader, Ha!). Well, I wish I had gotten a picture of it, but I didn't think about it until he was gone with it, but I had a newspaper article with a picture of his team framed. It turned out really well and he was happy to have it. I'll have to go upstairs and visit his office and see it on the wall soon! I am giving Dr. Barker his this afternoon. I'll let you know about that tonight! :-)

Keepsakes and Cuteness

There has been a lot of things that I KNOW I want to do for Nicholas. After all, I spent the past two years planning it! I've been obsessing over what to bring him home in because with boys it is such a fine line. I have also been trying to figure out what I could ask my Nana to get him that I could keep. Since he will have my giraffe that my grandfather made me, I really, really, wanted to have something special from my Nana. Well, I found both today. A keepsake she can give him! She has agreed to get something special for him to wear home! Here is what I found on etsy and I LOVE IT! The font is even the same as what is on his bedding (which shipped this afternoon!!!!!!!!!!). They are out of the small size now, but I am going to order soon so we have plenty of time. I found it here. It is actually out of Chattanooga, which I took as a sign! :-)

When he outgrows it I plan to have it preserved in a shadow box with some other special things to hang in my bedroom.

As you know, I've also spent countless hours planning out his nursery in my head. I am so excited about how it is all coming together and I CANNOT wait to have everything in it and all ready for him this summer! I decided as you know to focus the main idea around giraffe print and I found this frame at Hobby Lobby Saturday and I think it is too cute! It will sit on his table in front of the window.

I also found out a friend is planning on painting a canvas for me and I am super excited! I have one ordered to hang over his crib from the fabulously talented Kim Wheeler, but I also wanted one with his birth scripture on it (1 Samuel 1:27) to hang over his changing table. We are still working on the details, but it will be green, brown, and white polka dot to match his bedding. I am VERY excited about it! I can't wait to see how his two canvases come out! I think they will be SO CUTE!

He has officially taken up residence in my ribs. It is a nice change though from sitting on my cervix and causing a lot of pain. :-) I have had a lot of back pain yesterday and today, so I am going to make some tacos, watch DWTS and chill on the couch with my other big find at HL....

Weekend Wrapup

Another weekend has come and gone. :-( Friday night we went to a restaurant in Chattanooga, Taco Mamacita. They have a fun spin on Mexican food. I had the baja fish tacos and the Caribbean jerk chicken tacos. They were different but SO GOOD!

Yesterday I had my usual Saturday, errands and groceries. I picked up Nicholas' mattress, which I got a good deal on at Target and then came home to find that the landscaper had been there a few days early and we had our stacked stone border in the shrub bed! I was so excited! It really makes the stone on our house pop! He is coming back this week to move some things around and mulch. I'll post an after picture then.

This morning I woke up and didn't feel so well. I'm worried I may have a moving kidney stone, but I'm not going to worry too much about that until I need to. Tylenol dulled the pain and I was finally able to get up and move around by noon. Michael did surprise me with this when I got up!...
I LOVE IT!!!!!! I can't wait to get his crib put together this week. Then all we have left is to move my glider and ottoman and his giraffe in and he will be set! We are still waiting on his bedding, but I can't have it until my shower, so I'm not in that big of a hurry. :-)

After I got up Michael and I hung these canvases over the couch. He found them a few weeks ago and they were perfect. I like how they pop on the green wall.
To not have had our usually super busy weekend, I am worn out tonight. I am finishing a load of laundry, then I am off to bed. I am taking a vacation day on Friday for Good Friday to clean my house and get ready for the holiday weekend, so I only have to make it four days this week! Yay! :-) Hope everyone has a good week and don't forget, Tuesday is Dr.'s Day, be sure to wish your Drs a happy Drs Day! :-)

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks!

How big is Baby? 13 inches, 1.4 pounds, and the size of an ear of corn.

Total weight gain/loss: I was right. I have gained right at 12 pounds. My doctor is very happy with that.

Maternity clothes? 90% of what I wear. I am loving jeans. I am still wearing my regular scrubs though, but I may have to move up to a bigger size soon. :-(

Stretch marks? Not yet.
Sleep: I am doing much better. I am averaging about 7 hours a night!
Best moment this week: Hearing his heartbeat and seeing that he is doing well.
Movement: LOVING it! He is VERY active!
Food cravings: I could eat ANYTHING right now. Although I've really wanted some fruit and veggies this week.
Gender: It's A BOY!!!!!! Nicholas Allen Ledford.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? That's another thing. I can tell it is starting to move towards the outside. My laparoscopic scar at the base of my belly button that has always been on the inside is now on the outside! AH! I don't think my scar has moved anymore, but I'm watching it!

What I am looking forward to: putting our furniture together this weekend.

Milestones: Viability Day!

Waiting On Your Miracle

I was going to post my week 24 post today, but I just didn't want to. It just didn't feel right. I have had something on my mind all day that I want to share instead. This morning on the way to work I heard "While I'm Waiting" and just had a moment. A year ago that was MY song. I felt like it HAD to have been written for me. I had overcome the hardest year I had ever had and I was still waiting, and growing impatient. It is amazing to me what a difference a year, or even a few months, has made in my life.

While that song was on the radio I thought of so many of you by name. I prayed for you and I want you to know that you are on my mind and my heart so much lately. I have walked in your shoes and I know what you feel and are going through. There are many days that I wonder why I deserve a baby when so many of my friends have not had their prayers answered yet.

The most important thing I want to tell you today is PLEASE do NOT lose HOPE! I know how hard it is to keep hope going, but I trust that your dream will come true soon.

Happy Viability Day!

Today is a HUGE milestone in our pregnancy, viability day!!!! At 24 weeks the baby does have a chance of survival (although a LONG road ahead) if he was to come today. His lungs and organs have developed enough to survive with life support at this time! What a relief to know we've made it this far!!!!

I am a little irritated tonight. I just got home from yoga and where I go there is a chiropractor's office in the same plaza. They have about ten spaces marked, chiropractor office only all others will be towed. Well, I get there at 5:40 and they close at 6. What are the odds they need ALL of those spaces that late? I parked in one and noticed a girl watching me from their office, so I was a little worried my car wouldn't be there when I got out 75 minutes later. When I got in my car there was a note telling me to DO NOT park here again, we've seen your car here before and next time it will be TOWED! Again, I doubt you are going to need that spot in the next 15 minutes! I am considering calling them tomorrow to ask them just that question, but I will probably chicken out. When I called and went off about it to Michael he made fun of me and said "back off hormone girl". That was sweet and supportive, wasn't it? Ha!

I am very tired tonight and having some back pain. I think I am going to get a bath and lie down. We did get Nicholas' furniture home last night and the dresser is about 1/4 complete! Woohoo!

Week 24 appointment

I JUST NOTICED MY LAYOUT WAS GONE! Next time let a girl know! :-)

Not too much to update other than Nicholas is looking great! His heartrate was 163 and he was VERY active (which we already know)! They had to chase him down to get his HR. I am measuring right on target and I've only gained 12 pounds (not bad considering I thought I had gained a LOT more than that!). My blood pressure was 112/64 and my urine looked great. That made me happy because yesterday I was a hormonal mess late in the day and had a nasty headache. With that headache came some visual things and nausea/vomiting, which scared me into thinking it was a BP issue. Well, all checked out clear today and he wasn't worried since my headache had gone away. Considering I cried over a dead plant and not knowing where a pair of socks were, we are chalking it up to a hormonal shift of some kind.

My glucose test will be next time at 28 weeks. My doctor doesn't like to do them quite this early, so it will be April 19. After that I start going in every other week! AHHHH!!!!! Time is flying by and it will be July before I know it!

I received a comment, a couple of twitter questions, and an email in the past few days about why I am delivering at my hospital rather than a women's hospital or another local hospital (which is actually where I was one of the first 100 babies born). I am 100% comfortable in my choice and I will tell you why. Other than the fact that I am considered high risk due to my clotting disorder, I have three main reasons. Number one, it is where the highest level NICU is within 200 miles and all the pediatric surgeons (which work out of my office and I know all four personally) work out of the children's hospital which is attached. Secondly, it is where my OB's office is. If I am ready to push and he is seeing patients, he can be there in five minutes versus 20 at the other two. Also, I have seen many patients that have had complications at the other two hospitals and had to be flown or rushed over to our hospital for care from a trauma/critical care surgeon. I would just rather be at the level 1 trauma center from the very beginning just in case Nicholas or I need to be there. Don't get me wrong, I have NOTHING at all against the other two (although the women's hospital was my last choice, too many scary things have happened there that I have seen first hand) and I think everyone should go where they are most comfortable, which is why I chose to deliver downtown, which is only 20-25 minutes from my house depending on traffic.

Lazy, Rainy, Sunday and Glucose Test

We have had a good lazy, rainy Sunday. We slept in then got up and slept in the living room! Ha! We finally got up and went to JCPenney to pick up blinds for Nicholas' room (we had a broken set in there now) and to Fresh Market to pick up our veggies for the week and some pregnancy safe sushi. YUM! Yesterday while I was at Sam's I picked up some steak for dinner tonight and they are huge (but what isn't at Sam's?). Today while I was at FM, I picked up some potatoes to bake and they are HUGE, so we will be full for sure tonight.

Good thing I'll be full, because my OB's nurse called Thursday to tell me not to eat or drink anything except water before my appointment tomorrow morning. I am going for my 24 week appt and he may or may not do my glucose test, she wasn't sure. She said he prefers to do it around 26 weeks, but she wanted to make sure I didn't eat in case he decided to do it while I was there. I would like to get that out of the way, I've been dreading that since starting TTC. I was the kid that refused all medications if they were not a pill at four years old and I have trouble with cough syrup now. If it even remotely tastes like medicine, I will struggle to get it down. :-(

What has been your experience with your glucose tolerance test? What is the best flavor in case I get to chose?

My New Love

EDIT: I had a couple of questions this morning. I am an Alpha Delta Pi. I was in the Beta Beta chapter at Univ of TN at Chattanooga. I have at least two or three boxes full of lions in my parent's attic. Those were just two large ones that never fit in a box. Ha!

Also, we know that we could just get an extra base for my mom's car, but I will not be able to leave his seat at day care and if she needs to pick him up, she will need one too. :-)

I got excited this morning too when I noticed that I have 99 followers reading my blog. Are there REALLY that many people that care what I am doing?! It makes me laugh, I think we are pretty boring. :-)

Today has been a very tiring day (but what Saturday isn't for me?!). Got up, met my mom for Starbuck's and a pedicure, then went to Sam's. That in itself made me tired! Luckily I was having a great day and felt well.

A few months ago when I first found out I was pregnant, Courtney told me I HAD to register for the first time mom's presale at Just Between Friends consignment sale that would be in March. A couple of weeks ago I registered for my mom and I to attend and now I.AM.IN.LOVE! I must go to every consignment sale I can find! I think it is going to be the best place ever to buy his day care/play clothes and toys. I did great and my mom did even better. Here is a picture of my laundry basket when I got home.

I got about 10 onesies, 8 pairs of pants (including one Ralph Lauren Polo overalls with tags on them!), a couple pants/onesie outfits, all for day care, and a nice smocked bubble suit for church. I got a black maternity dress for me for only $5! I now have a dress for each shower! I scored some seriously cute shoes too! Look at the stride Rite's that are new in the box for $6! I was so happy to find those!
My mom did great. The one thing she was looking for was an infant car seat that was new in the box or one that had very little use. She found one just like this one that looked perfect for $50! It is online for $99!!! She wanted something in case she needed to pick him up from day care or if she had him without me.
Nicholas is a very lucky little boy and his Mommy and Nonna (my mom is thinking that she wants to be Nonna) have a very serious shopping problem! Ha! This is a peak into his closet (minus the new things I got at the sale! Ha!). Remember I've been buying baby clothes for two years, but 90% has been bought in the six weeks since we heard he was a boy! (Most are larger sizes, don't worry, I know that I will get a lot of newborn and 3-6 month at my showers) Also, let me add that the stuffed lions are from my room in college, lions are my sorority mascot, hence the reason they are part of my giraffe theme.

We plan to finish the transition from home office to nursery tomorrow by patching nail holes from hanging pictures, touching up some paint, and moving the last few boxes into the attic. HOPEFULLY if the rain will cooperate and hold off a little while, we are going to pick up his dresser. It is at Walmart, so it can be picked up on Sunday!

Random Friday

It is a gorgeous spring day here in NWGA/Chattanooga. I came home and all the neighborhood kids were out, but I was seriously just too tired to go outside. I.Am.Exhausted! It has been a very long week in trauma land. We've seen a ton of patients, had a 10 hour conference, and time change has completely kicked my hiney. I dread next year with a baby on top of it. I may need a week of vacation to adjust! Ha! Well, I just had to show you this because it is too cute. I think I know what Spencer does all day while we are gone. He watches the neighbors! Ha!

I also have another question for you. My parents are getting us a nice camera for our birthdays next month to take awesome pics of Nicholas. I am trying to decide what kind I want, I had it narrowed down to a Nikon and a Canon XSi, but in the end, I think I am going with the canon. Do any of you have this camera and if so, what do you think of it? Also, do you have a video camera and if so, what kind (that is on the to do list to purchase late this spring)?

I really need to take Spencer on a walk and get out of the house, but honestly, I just need to rest. My back has hurt today and I have been crazy emotional this afternoon. We had planned to get our furniture out of layaway today, but it just isn't going to work out. First, Michael won't be home until close to 8:00 at the earliest and then it is just too late. Plus, we still need to patch nail holes where we had pictures hanging in Nicholas' room and touch up some scratches on the wall. Our new plan is to pick it up Tuesday when Michael is off work, but it still made me sad. I've waited years to have baby furniture in that room and now it is being delayed AGAIN. I know that is crazy, but it was important to me and I'm just disappointed. Hopefully the forecast is correct and we have a pretty day Tuesday and we can get it home then.

Prenatal Classes

When I first found out I was pregnant, I got excited about taking childbirth class. I have waited a long time and I wanted the "full experience". Ha! Well, as time progressed, I decided to not attend any classes due to time factors, but I started thinking about the fact that yes, I have worked in L&D at another hospital when I was in school and I know a lot about it, but Michael doesn't. I want him to be prepared at least a little bit. I have been checking into childbirth and breastfeeding classes. I called around and found out that my hospital campus does not offer childbirth classes, but their satellite hospital does (it is a low risk women's hospital, but I have chosen not to deliver there as I prefer to be at the main trauma center with a high level NICU on site. It is also where I work). They offer a one time, four hour childbirth class twice a month and also, a breastfeeding class (which is at my hospital) twice a month. I did find a L&D/hospital tour that Michael and I are signed up for in May around week thirty-two because I know NOTHING about having a baby at our hospital, just trauma and cardiac stuff! I wouldn't even know where to go! Ha!

I am going to talk to my OB at my appointment on Monday about it, but those of you that have had babies, what class or classes do you recommend taking?

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks, I am actually SIX months pregnant! CRAZY!!!! I cannot believe that he will be here in less than FOUR months!

How big is Baby? 12 inches, a little over 1 POUND (we've graduated into pounds now!!!) and the size of a mango.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm guessing about 12 pounds now, but we'll see for sure next week at my next dr visit.

Maternity clothes? 90% of what I wear. I am loving jeans. I am still wearing my regular scrubs though, but I may have to move up to a bigger size soon. :-(

Stretch marks? Not really, but I THINK I might see a couple coming up. Ugh!
Sleep: I was doing well, but last night was rough, he was lying in a way that hurt my side and back no matter how I was lying.
Best moment this week: six month milestone and knowing he will be here in 119 days or less.
Movement: LOVING it! He is VERY active!
Food cravings: not really anything particular, but maybe pizza or steak.
Gender: It's A BOY!!!!!! Nicholas Allen Ledford.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? Thats another thing. I can tell it is starting to move towards the outside. My laparoscopic scar at the base of my belly button that has always been on the inside is now on the outside! AH!

What I am looking forward to: getting our crib and dresser home this weekend!!!! They are both in stock and ready for pickup!!!!!

Milestones: Being SIX months pregnant!

Easter Clothes

EDIT: Thanks for the suggestions about the basket. I have seen those baskets in person at PBK and for his first or second Easter, I think it will be sufficient. I plan to only use it a year or two then get one of the big ones with the monogrammed liner. Plus, I'm sure the Easter Bunny will also make a stop at my parents house for him, so I do not plan on doing that much for a year or two.

I have some serious spring fever, so last week I went to Motherhood last week in search of a cute spring dress to wear for Easter and at least one of my showers that I needed a dress for. I ended up with two and I am going to have the hardest time EVER deciding between them! I LOVE them both! I'm thinking the fun pink and black one for Easter and a shower and the purple one for at least one of my showers.

On that note, I also daydreamed about what I want Nicholas to wear next year. We have an agreement, the first year I can dress him a little more babyish, like Strausburg jon jons and monogrammed things. After that he will be wearing more older little boy clothes like khaki pants and sweaters. So, I thought this would be cute next year.

And of course, a basket from Pottery Barn Kids! I LOVE the bunny, but the duck is pretty cute too!

22 Weeks

I feel really huge in this picture. Wish some of the weight in my back would move to the front! Ha! I think it has to do with my angle and wearing black. I won't do that anymore for my belly shots. I promise my bump has gotten larger!

Also, I have no idea why this is doubled spaced on my mac any ideas???

How far along? 22 weeks

How big is Baby? 11 inches, 1 POUND (we've graduated into pounds now!!!) and the size of a spaghetti squash.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm guessing about 10 pounds now, but we'll see for sure in two weeks at my next dr visit.

Maternity clothes? 90% of what I wear. I am loving my new Gap long and lean jeans and t-shirts. I am still wearing my regular scrubs though, but I may have to move up to a bigger size soon. :-(

Stretch marks? No, let's pray it stays that way!
Sleep: better in the past week or so. I'm sleeping at least 8 hours a night with a potty break or two thrown in.
Best moment this week:beginning to start getting his room ready.
Movement: LOVING it! He is VERY active!
Food cravings: Mexican, especially chips and salsa. I'm pretty sure Nicholas is going to be a Mexican baby!
Gender: It's A BOY!!!!!! Nicholas Allen Ledford.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? In and I pray it stays that way. It freaks me out for some reason! Ha!

What I am looking forward to: getting our crib out of layaway! Hopefully this weekend!!!!

Milestones: Another week down is enough for me!

Busy Saturday

It has been a busy day and I am exhausted! First of all, we had an interesting start to the day. Our clock in the bedroom sets itself and we have done everything to correct it, but since leap year TWO years ago (and a lightning strike since!), it springs forward or falls back a day early. Well, this year, suffering from pregnancy brain and all, I completely forgot to remind Michael that it would be wrong in the morning so ignore it. (usually I just set one of our phones since we cannot get the clock to go to the right day when we know it is time change weekend.) He woke up at "7:15", got up, got ready, and came into the bedroom where I was sleeping around "7:50" and asked why all the clocks in the house were an hour behind the one in the bedroom. OOPS! We laughed and he just got to work a little early this morning and

got caught up on a few things.

I got up for good around 9:30 (real time, not bedroom time) and started cleaning my house. My mom came by later and helped do the floors and bathrooms since my pinched nerve causes a lot of pain if I bend down a lot. After we finished we went shopping. I had anticipated getting my crib out of layaway today, but my dad went out of town, so it will wait until next week. No big deal, gives me one more week to get Nicholas' room completely cleaned out (it is 95% empty now!). I went by the furniture store anyway because they have the cutest UT outfit I wanted to get for Michael to have for Nicholas. Isn't it too cute!

I LOVE the back! We love to tailgate, so this is perfect!

I also got him his third pair of trumpet socks. He already has the tennis shoe and argyle ones. I thought these boots were funny.

Then we went to BRU, Gymboree, and Baby Gap. I found some other cute things that I decided I needed. Ha! I started feeling tired so we went back to my parents house to rest and watch TV for a couple hours before we went back out. We wanted to go to Olive Garden, but when we got there the wait was an hour and a half. Um, no thanks! I called Chop House from OG and their wait was 30-45 minutes, plus I could get on the call ahead list. We got there in about 15 minutes and our wait was less than five! Woohoo! I'm a steak kind of girl anyway. It was YUM!

After dinner we ran over to Target to look a stroller I decided I wanted instead of the big heavy one I found a BRU. It is much lighter and folds much easier. This is the one I decided on and added to my registry instead of the big huge one at BRU.

Michael is out with some friends tonight since my mom and I had a night out with my dad being gone, so Spencer and I are getting in bed now with Confessions of A Shopaholic. Hope everyone is having a good Saturday!

And The Answer Is...

I got some really good questions! Here are the answers...

1. Aishlea wanted to know if my dad taught and coached at my high school and did it effect my dating life? Ha!

Yes and no! Haha! He did teach at my school the first two years, then was transferred to another school. I didn't have many dates at my school, but for some reason I had quite a few from his new school! It was stinky having a boyfriend across town, but they were great guys and worth it.

She also wanted to know if he was in my business and knew what I was doing. Well, I was pretty boring in high school and there wasn't much to know! Ha! Honestly, he left me and my friends alone and the only time I ever knew he was there was when I wanted to involve him.

2. Katie wanted to know if we are UT or UGA fans. Thats a fun one!

That is a funny story! I actually grew up a UGA fan in TN. My dad grew up in Atlanta and has always been a UGA fan. When I met Michael I was actually a little sad that he was a UT fan because I never wanted to marry a UT fan! (nothing personal, just didn't think I could be one!) Well, about a year after we got married I caved and started cheering for UT. We live about 5 miles from the TN/GA state line, so I am VERY curious to see what team Nicholas pulls for. I'm thinking between my dad and his school friends, he very easily could be a UGA fan!

3. Jennifer wanted to know what I am most afraid about after Nicholas is born and what has surprised me the most about being pregnant?

I am most worried about breastfeeding. I'm worried I won't have enough supply or that it just won't work for us. I will be ok either way, but I really want it to work out for at least six months or so. I'm also concerned about how it will go pumping when I go back to work.

The thing that has surprised me the most about being pregnant is the pain I've had. It is more intense than most have (according to my OB) because of my situs inversus, so there are times I get sad because I am yet to feel as good as everyone says you will in the 2nd trimester. In fact I have yet to have a day where I just feel 100%, full of energy, or pain free. I've been a little sad about that. My OB keeps telling me he wants me to relax and be happy, which I am super happy, but I want to be able to enjoy my pregnancy instead of being in pain most of the time. I am starting to cope with it better and not let it limit my lifestyle as much, but it is still hard when I am hurting a lot after work and I don't even feel like moving.

4. Anonymous wanted to know how I lost weight last year and if I am worried about gaining too much?

This one made me laugh. I did lose about 30-35 pounds starting last February through September. I basically started watching what I ate, I cut out all snacks, cokes, and started running some at the gym. After I got used to the dietary changes, I was able to back off a little and just eat when I got hungry and I didn't really watch what I ate, just cut WAY back. I was also put on a medication for a chronic problem that I have that caused me to not be quite as hungry, but I still had to work a lot at it.

I am not worried at all about gaining weight. I am eating like a crazy person now. For example yesterday I had powdered donuts for breakfast, a hamburger for lunch, and we both ate late lunches yesterday so we just snacked for dinner. Sad, I know! Most days are not like that. I am trying to eat a little healthy! I try to drink a lot of milk or eat yogurt (and some ice cream), vegetables, and always drink water. I did gain about 5-8 pounds the cycle that I got pregnant. I had been very sick at the end of September (you can read about it here) and lost 10 pounds in a week. When I got better I started eating everything in sight and I was ok with that because I wanted to build my strength back up in case I got pregnant the next cycle...which I did. I was also very sick the week 5-16 in my pregnancy, so I am just now starting to gain weight. I don't care if I gain 80 pounds as long as Nicholas is healthy!

5. Beth wanted to know if I have always wanted to be a nurse and when how did I decide to be a nurse? Also, what was the hardest thing about nursing school?

I am not sure when I KNEW I wanted to be a nurse, because I remember playing nurse when I was 5 or 6 years old! I never really played teacher or house like the other little girls, I always played nurse. I was also very intrigued by the human body and how it worked and I LOVED life science and biology classes in middle school and high school. When I was in 11th grade I had my tonsils out and I noticed what the nurses were doing around me at the hospital and I thought it looked like something I would be interested in doing. Then when I was 18 I was in the hospital for a week and had three surgeries in a month. I got to know my pediatrician's nurse and urologist's nurse well and they encouraged me to major in nursing after I told them I was interested. So, I started the 1st day of college as a nursing major and never looked back.

The topic of nursing school is something I could write about forever, it was a MAJOR part of my life for 5 years (including the time I spent getting my 100 hours of general education). Yes, I was in college for five years, but nursing isn't offered during the summer, so it can take longer. I'm going to have to think about that one! I'll make a note to come back and revisit that topic one day.

6. Tiffany (who is a good friend from college) wanted to know if we had decided on a larger car yet?

No, not yet, we know we are going to get a midsize SUV before Nicholas gets here, but not sure when or what kind. We've been looking and I'm leaning toward a Toyota 4-Runner or a Nissan Pathfinder. Any suggestions? I currently have a BMW 530 and driving 30 miles a day, mostly on the interstate, we want something larger off the ground that is safer and more economical payment wise.

7. Angela had a good one about Michael's long hours and how that will effect me on maternity leave and how much time we he be able to take off when Nicholas is born?

That is a good question and I wondered if anyone would ask about his long work week. Michael is an internet and finance manager (he even serves as sales manager if there is more than one customer there at a time) at a GMC/Buick/Cadillac dealership 40 minutes from home. He works Monday, Wednesday-Saturday usually 9 am-7 pm-ish. It makes for long days for him and I have thought a lot about how it will be when Nicholas comes. His plan is to take a week off when Nicholas comes and then go back full time. My mom (who lives 10 minutes away) will take off the next week or two, depending on what our needs are at the time. I think I will get a little lonely during the time I am off, just because I am used to having so much adult interaction. However, the time Michael is home will be important to us. Our plan (again, we all know how God laughs at MY plans!) is for Michael to help bathe Nicholas and spend time cuddling and feeding him when he gets home. I am going to pump when I can to allow Michael the ability to feed Nicholas his bedtime bottle. That is what we hope will work for us, but if it doesn't, we will find other ways for them to spend time together early on. What we are more worried about is what will happen when I go back to work. I have some friends in similar situations and they tell me you figure out what is best for you, so we'll figure that out as I start to work towards a schedule for our family when I return to work near the end of maternity leave.

I hope I got everyone's questions! I'm excited to see some lurkers come out of hiding! I track the hits I receive and I have over 500 hits a day, so I know there are more of you out there! Come out and say hello. :-)

Next Question Please

The last post is the answer to a lot of the questions that I get through comments, email, and twitter (what do you do, why do you love your job, etc), so I thought it would be fun to do what a lot of bloggers have done in the past...ask me anything! It will also be a great time for those of you who like to lurk but not leave comments to do so. Let me know who you are! I want to make some new blog friends and get to know you. I promise I am a nice person! Ha!

So, ask me anything you want to ask me and I'll chose some questions to answer in a post tomorrow afternoon. You can email or comment here. I'm excited to see what you ask me, because I get some unusual questions through email and comments sometimes!

Ask away!

Show us Your Life, Office RN

Well, I missed the McLinky for this post, but here is my Show Us Your Life for last week.

On a normal Monday-Friday, my alarm goes off at 6:30 and I am out of the bed by 7. I get a shower, fix my hair, get dressed, do my makeup, pack my food for the day, then I am out the door by 8. I get to work by 8:30 and start the workday.

Since I always say that I love my job, many have wanted to know, what do I do. I am a registered nurse and I work for two trauma surgeons. It is the best job I have ever had! I love both of the surgeons I work for and could not ask for better people around me! So, with that out of the way, what do I do all day seems to be the question everyone has always wanted to know. One thing I can tell you is it is NEVER boring!

Here is how my day usually goes:

Monday-Wednesday and Friday mornings: spend the morning working on charts for the next afternoon’s office, going through faxes reading op notes, path reports, and radiology reports to make sure we don’t miss anything that needs to be dealt with (i.e. cancer or a incidental finding of something). Then I organize the faxes by patient name in a book assigned to each doctor. This doesn’t sound like much, but it takes a long time and usually takes all morning.

Monday-Thursday afternoons: During the afternoon I see patients with my surgeons. We see, obviously, a lot of trauma follow up (i.e. broken ribs, collapsed lungs (pneumothorax - your new word of the day!), splenectomies, and lots of lacerations) and general surgery needs (gallbladders, hernias, skin lesions that need to be removed) On Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 1-4, I see patients with Dr. Smith. He is EXACTLY the same personality as my dad. There are times when he talks and I can close my eyes and picture my dad saying the exact same things! I've been his nurse for four and half years. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are when I see patients with Dr. Barker. I just became his nurse almost two years ago and so far I am loving being his nurse. He is director of the trauma services department and of our hospital helicopter, Lifeforce.

On Thursday mornings and on Fridays I get to catch up on what did not get taken care of during the week. I also work on FMLA or disability papers and any referrals that need to be made. I could probably fill those forms out in my sleep!

While doing all the above, the multitasking Amanda comes out. There are many times that I will see post op or trauma patients that do not need to see the doctor, but do need follow up at some point during the day. That usually consist of suture or staple removal, wound checks, things like that. I spend a lot of time taking phone calls. I would say 90% of my phone calls are requests for pain medication or questions regarding their injuries or surgery. The rest of my calls are usually home health agencies calling for orders, funeral homes looking for signed death certificates, and patients calling looking for their FMLA paperwork.

I get off work around 5ish and drive home with everyone else leaving downtown. It usually takes me about 30-40 minutes to get home if I leave a little after 5, so I try to leave right on time. When I get home I read blogs and cook dinner. Michael usually is home by 7:30, we eat, spend some time watching TV, then go to bed. I have been going to be a little earlier since I've been pregnant, but before we both go around 11.

That pretty much covers my day!