Cheers!

Hello folks! I had my 24-week OB appointment today with Dr. Liao, my first official appointment at Lake Manassas Women's Health. It went extremely well--and extremely differently--from my previous experiences at the world crappiest OB practice, Fairfax OBGYN.

Dr. Liao actually listened to my heart and lungs, measured my belly, and took a minature sonogram of baby Jackson. So cute! I measured 25 cm, which he was very pleased with for 24 weeks. Baby Jackson is breech right now, explaining his frequent kicks against my bladder, but he still has many weeks to get his act together and turn head-down, little bugger. His HR was a healthy 150 bpm.

My own health was also in good working order. There was no glucose in my urine this time, my pulse was 80, and my BP is back down to a normal level (I have been experiencing white coat syndrome recently). Yay! I didn't have time to complete the glucose challenge test today in the office, so they let me take home the lovely 50-gram glucose drink which is now staring at me each time I open the refrigerator. Part of me wishes to remain blissfully unaware of any possible results indicating Gestational Diabetes. However, I know it's best for Jackson and I if I just buck up and chug. Please pray for me as the thoughts of this test have been causing me anxiety for some time now. Tomorrow's the day--cheers!

Miraculous

*~*C'est Moi et Jackson*~*

Yes, this is what I look like at 24 weeks pregnant (yesterday). Wow! What a change from my flat stomach at 4 weeks along. :) Pregnancy has a very interesting effect on the body--apart from the obvious--as you can see--it also creates this awareness of true femininity and strength. Although I'm watching myself get fatter everyday, it's not the same as when I've gained weight in the past. I guess I feel like my expanding figure is for such a greater purpose.

My mom read me a wonderful pregnancy reflection today:

"If I had my life to live over, instead of wishing away 9 months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle."

. . . grow miracle grow . . . (but come off miraculously quickly afterwards) . . .

Dear Baby Jackson

Dear Baby Jackson,
As the weeks until your birth slowly fall away, I'm growing more and more excited to meet you. I wonder what your little face will look like . . . I wonder how big you'll be . . . I wonder how your unique personality will develop and how you'll show it to me and daddy.

Now, as you're growing stronger and bigger inside me, I know daily that you're here with me. I look forward to each of your nudges after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when I'm winding down at night. They remind me that you're really there, really living, and that we'll meet face-to-face in four short months.

You already make me laugh with the way you'll kick wildly within me but then stop when anyone else wants to feel. You're already playing games, you little stinker. It makes me feel so loved by you and so special to be your mom and to be sharing these months that no one else is really a part of but you and me.
I find it utterly amazing that you can recognize voices now too. I wonder if you tire of listening to me give our nursing triage advice to new moms all day? I am fascinated that you'll already know I'm "Mommy" and dad's "Daddy" when you enter our world from listening to us now from inside the womb.

What will it be like when you finally arrive? I can't wait to hold your warm little baby body in my arms for the first time. We are praying for you now. We're praying for your safe arrival and a happy and healthy life for you in our home as our son. I hope you know and feel how much you are already loved.

Until we meet,
Mom

Weekend Retreat

This weekend was a much needed retreat after a week of "pick on Jennifer" at work. My friend Lindsey came up to visit, and although we didn't do anything special, it was so nice to have some girl time! Basically, we just did a little shopping, saw Youth In Revolt with my man, Michael Cera, and caught up on each other lives. Sometimes seeing my college buddies is a bit bittersweet. I keep wondering, "will this be our last 'girl weekend' before the baby?" While I am totally content, ecstatic actually, to be starting a family with Justin, I am also the first of my close friends to forge that path. It's a little scary at times, but I know God will see me through all the ups and downs. At this point in my life, my close friends are really good friends, and I know they support my mommy movement.

On another note--guess what the newest pregnancy inconvenience is? I can't wear my wedding bands. Not because of swelling but because my finger has decided to have an allergic reaction to the white gold. This happened a couple of weeks ago, so I stopped wearing them, treated the reaction, and put them back on this Monday. Two days later, the reaction was way baaack. So, I am resigned to wearing only my engagement ring. :( Maybe this means Justin will have to buy me a platinum wedding band after the baby??? :)

Also, I would like to officially announce that I am now taking prenatal yoga, and it is wonderful! I just love the stretching and getting the perfect pregnancy exercise each week. I'm also meeting some wonderful pregnant women who make me feel so much more normal! Life is good!

Welcome 2010

Yeah, we are in our 20's. So, yes, you could say we are boring. :) New Years Eve passed last night, and Justin and I just spent the evening together at home. We went out to a new steakhouse and then watched the "ball drop" on TV. Well, actually, I slept on the couch until 11:45, then Justin woke me up to watch to ring in the New Year. It recently dawned on me how exciting New Years Eve used to seem when I was under 21. Then, I turned 21 and found myself working night shift at the hospital on the night of celebration. Now, I am pregnant and couldn't drink if I wanted to. We'll have to see what next year holds. . .
Today, however, was a different story. I am proud to say that we were very productive. Justin (obviously) had the idea to wake up early and go to a 10:10am showing of Sherlock Holmes, which we did. Then, we grabbed a quick lunch and came home to start doing a little "nesting." We painted splotches on Jackson's nursery walls to be sure we liked the colors, and Justin assembled his high chair and stroller. Also, I got the sweetest package from my cousin Crystal today on my front porch. It was a perfect Boppy pillow for baby Jackson. I absolutely love the colors and prints--it even matches the high chair we chose. Thank you sooo much Crystal and Mike. We are so thankful for family like you. :) Interesting tidbit, I also think I had two Braxton Hicks contractions today during the movie. At first I was worried, but I researched them online, and apparently this is when many women begin to notice them. Just keep us all in your prayers! I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Years!

I just adore my hubby's face of concentration.

This was the cute result of my teaching Jus how to buckle a baby into a carseat.


P.S.- Yesterday I also went for a consult OB appointment at Lake Manassas Women's Health (because I have been thoroughly disgusted with the care I have received from Fairfax OBGYN), and it went beautifully! The nurse was so professional, the office was lovely, and Dr. Liao spent so much time answering our questions. I felt more comfortable after this one appt than I did after 20 weeks with my previous doctor. Acutally, we shared with Dr. Liao about the negligant "care" I received when diagnosed with swine flu, and he responded with "was that Melodi Wilson?" HELLO! Take about a preceeding reputation. Needless to say, I signed a release of records before I left the office, and I now have a new OB practice to begin 2010. Praise the Lord!