30 Weeks and Counting

Friday, February 24, was our latest appointment. Baby Furnell is pointed head down already. Our midwife said he will probably stay that way the rest of the pregnancy. His heartbeat, due to some cheesecake for breakfast, was 149 bpm! This appointment, he didn't kick the doppler off my belly! I am measuring at 30 cm, right on track. I feel like he has moved down a little, not so high in my lungs and rib cage as he was a few weeks ago.

We are registered to take another free class through the hospital. We have already taken the labor class. I would definitely recommend a labor class to any first time parents. There are things you will learn in a labor class that no amount of experienced family, friends, or siblings can tell you. The next class we are taking is called "Taking Care of Your Newborn". This class is designed to teach us Infant CPR, and many other newborn care needs.

As far as my health goes, I am experiencing a low immune system for the first time in my life! Anytime someone around me has a cold, I catch it. That means the hacking, and congestion in all its glory. An experience climbing the air traffic control center 12 flights of stairs led me to better understand what it means to be short of breath! Yes, baby is still constricting my diaphragm.

My back has only been hurting when I go for walks or hike around Walmart. I am trying to stay hydrated by drinking at least 3 liters of water a day. I feel great! Baby Furnell is moving around all the time and it is fun to see my belly bounce when his elbows, knees, feet or tiny fists make it to the surface. Suki will no longer lay on me, because even a hand that belongs to someone else is enough to make baby bounce around. On Sunday in Primary, while sitting with my class, one of my cute 4-5 year olds laid her head against my belly as a pillow. After about 5 minutes, she picked her head up and said, "stop doing that!" I couldn't help but laugh as a I explained to her that it was the baby moving and I couldn't help it. She thought it was the coolest thing after she figured it out.

I am very blessed to have wide-set hips that support the weight of the baby and my growing uterus. If it weren't for the gigantic bosoms, and protruding belly, I would forget I'm pregnant! (That's how good I feel!) So far, I have gained 7 lbs throughout the whole pregnancy. With less than 10 weeks left until my due date, I still have time to gain more! Hopefully its all baby!

So far, my biggest cravings have been anything chocolate, and Fish-Filet sandwiches with fries from McDonald's.

Justin is finally starting to understand the changes that I'm going through, and yes... He still comments on how big my belly is getting! (I think he means it with the most love possible.) The nursery is painted, now we just need to get it decorated! Even though baby will be in our room for the first several months of life, it's nice to have a room ready for him when he is old enough, and no longer relying on Mom for food. The empty guest room, is no longer empty! We are starting to finish all the painting so that the furniture and everything can be set up in a way that will help to house my family when they are here to visit our new little family.

I am so happy with where I am in my life! I am happy to be starting our family and the last year and 8 months have been the best, worst, hardest, most inspiring moments of my life! I am finding out how strong I am and how strong my relationship with my husband can be. I know that the growing only gets stronger as we grow as a family instead of just two.

Late Christmas Post and Update

As many of you know, Justin and I went to Utah for Christmas vacation. We visited with our Utah family, and rested. On about the third day of being in Utah, I got a migraine that lasted until a week after we got back. I attribute it to being pregnant in Missouri and then moving to a very high elevation. AKA, I think I had altitude sickness. Shortly after the migraine went away, I got hit with a nasty cold.

We had a doctor's appointment on the Friday after we got back. Baby is doing well, he is strong and happy! He is maintaining a heartbeat in the 130's and moves around like crazy. Because of my Anterior Placenta, there are days when I can tell that he is head down because I will feel a few kicks in my rib cage, but then I won't feel anything for hours.

Since the gender was questionable, we had a 3D Ultrasound that verified that He is definitely a boy! Several people think he will have my nose. Poor guy! I have finished my sewing projects in the nursery, but there is one wall that needs some paint touch-up.

Justin and I attended a labor class offered through the hospital. I think that we have learned a lot and I hope, that when the time comes for us to do the real thing, we will remember what we learned.

In other news, Sadie got her first haircut! we can now touch her back legs, and by her tail without any aggressive behavior toward us. However, because of her drastic new look, Suki was sure that we had brought home a different dog and she wouldn't even be in the same room as Sadie for almost four days. now they are back to being best friends! Another complication with Sadie getting a haircut, I am apparently allergic to either the soap or the deodorizer that they put on her before she came home. It resulted in another cold-like sickness. After vacuuming every surface, washing all of the sheets and blankets, and several brushings, it is safe to say that I am no longer having issues.