Are you ready...

For some K-State football?!?

We're heading to El Dorado tonight and will be cheering on the cats in their first game from Willies in El Dorado. We both have our purple on today and have our purple packed for tomorrow. Bring on the WILDCATS!!!!!

27 Weeks (8/24/12)

How far along? 27 weeks

Size of baby: Around 2 lbs and 14.4 in. About the size of a head of cauliflower

Weight gain: Around 15 pounds. Yikes!

Maternity clothes: Yes. Been wearing maternity jeans, tanks and shirts. I got a couple non maternity shirts for Fall from H&M. 2 sizes larger then what I usually wear though.

Stretch marks: Not that I can see

Sleep: Not bad this week. Allergies haven't been keeping me up at night (knock on wood) so it's just the normal up to use the bathroom 2-3 times a night. Still LOVE my body pillow. I forgot it Friday night when I stayed at Amber's and my legs and butt kept cramping. Speaking of cramping, I am now scared to stretch out my legs in the mornings. I have been getting horrible charlie horses in my legs. I had no idea what happened the first time I got them and then told my sister and she said she got them all the time when she was pregnant. Those things kill.

Symptoms: Heartburn, back aches and couple headaches this week.

Best moment this week: Getting some of her bedding! Ok so maybe it's just a sheet but the lady who is making everything had a question on the skirt so she gave me  a sheet for now and hoped to have more done this weekend.

Movement: Yep. I can tell when she is sleeping and when she is awake and she gave me a really hard kick this evening. Derek wanted to feel her kick the other day so he put his hand on my belly and told her to kick and she did!

Food cravings: Butterfingers and no bake cookies are my sweets of choice this week. I'm doing good on not eating as many sweets though. I used to tell myself it was ok to have a fun size candy bar at 9am because I don't drink coffee but now I hold off till after lunch. And I don't eat 4 in 1 day like I used to.

Gender: GIRL!!!! Collins Cate Lorson

What I miss: Sleeping on my back and stomach.

Milestones: Officially in my 3rd and last trimester!!!

August Weekends

2 weekends ago we headed to Hanover, KS for my friend/roommate/co workers wedding. Amanda and I worked at Willies together and became really good friends. We lived together with 2 other girls my senior year of college. She is one of the sweetest, most hard working girls I know and she did a fantastic job on her wedding. I majorly sucked at taking pictures so I had to steal a couple from other people.

Note to self: never be this close to the camera

 My bestie and her fiance will be getting married in Nov. 6 days before Collins is due to be exact. I will be HUGE

My sis and her adorable family

Hanover tradition?

This last weekend Derek went to my brother's bachelor party in Flippin, Arkansas. My brother has been trout fishing there a few times so he wanted to get a group of his friends together and go do that for the weekend. I obviously don't have any pictures of that but Derek said he had a great time and wants to go again.

Since Derek was gone, I slumbered at Amber's all weekend. I have attempted to stay by myself in our house before and I got NO sleep. I scare the crap out of myself so I figured I would rather get some sleep then sleep with 1 eye open all night. Me and the pups spent Friday and Saturday at Amber's. Friday night Amber, Aiden, mom and me ate at Pizza Hut and then did some shopping for our brother's fiances shower and bachelorette party we had Saturday. We were all stuffed at exhausted after this so we headed to bed pretty early that night. Sweet Aiden slept with his mommy and gave me and the dogs his bed.

Saturday we were up early since Amber had to work and me and mom were heading to Tara's shower. Her friends were super sweet and put on a great shower for her. I wish I would have taken a pic with her!

After the shower and Amber was off work, we ventured down to the plaza to shop. We always want to venture out of our comfort zone and try some new stores so we bucked up and drove the 20 min to the plaza. We hadn't been to H&M and the Forever 21 is so much better there. Well we should have stuck to Old Navy and places we always go to because we had no luck at either place. Collins' might have scored some purple shoes at H&M though. It was nice to get out for the day and we stopped at a bar so mom and Amber could have some drinks and preggers could eat :) I was in tears laughing so hard at my mom and Amber telling me birth stories. A c-section is sounding better and better.

That night we headed to Tony and Tara's for her bachelorette party. The girls had went to a winery that day so everyone was pretty exhausted. We still had great laughs and a wonderful evening with Tara and her friends. Kicking myself for not getting a picture of Tara, Amber, mom and me.  We can't wait for her to officially be part of the family come October. Very sad we will miss their Bahamas wedding but I do not need to go into labor in the Bahamas.

Her mom and Tony are ready for babies.

My brother is a closet comic book collector so one of the girls was brilliant with this gift

26 Weeks (8/17/12)

Yep, you get a t-shirt pic this week. Forgot to take a pic over the weekend and this is  how you see me during the week

How far along? 26 weeks

Size of baby: A little less then 2 pounds and 14 inches. About the size of an eggplant.

Weight gain: Around 14 pounds. Yikes!

Maternity clothes: Been wearing some maternity tank tops and shirts but still fitting into regular shorts (just bigger sizes). Had to buy a couple new tank tops because mine were getting way too short.

Stretch marks: Not that I can see

Sleep: ugh!!! Stupid allergies! I should probably buck up and buy the real Claritan or Zyrtec but those things are crazy expensive so I've been buying the knock off brands. Well they don't work! And what do you do when you have snot running out your nose but you can't lay on your back to keep it in?! So between going to the bathroom and blowing my nose, I am up a lot at night.

Symptoms: Heartburn,back aches, couple headaches this week and felt nausea's most of the day Monday. Didn't ever throw up so that's good!

Best moment this week: Seeing some of my friends I haven't seen since I have been pregnant. Should have put this in last weeks but I have had 2 strangers comment on my belly now. So thankful it no longer looks like I have a beer belly.

Movement: Morning, noon and night. Love watching my belly move and putting my hand on there so I can feel her kicking. She has had the hiccups a couple times too. Doctor said I should feel her move 10 times in a one hour span. She didn't say how often a day so I will have to ask the next time I am there. Or if any of you know, please fill me in. I think she is moving plenty but want to be sure.

Food cravings: The usual, sweets and fruit. I've been doing good on the sweets. Trying to limit myself and not go overboard. I also have mac and cheese once a week but that's more because Derek wants something that sounds terrible to me (poor guy hasn't got to grill near as much as we did last summer because it all sounds awful to me) so I resort to mac and cheese.

Gender: GIRL!!!! Collins Cate Lorson

What I miss: Sleeping on my back and stomach and not going to lie, it was hard going to a wedding and not being able to drink! I'm a party pooper when I don't have alcohol in me.  No dancing and home early.

Milestones: Sssooo close to my 3rd and last trimester!

As a side note, I started watching a 9 month old this week and he was delivered at 26 weeks and 5 days. That's exactly what I am today. It's reassuring to know that he was over 2lbs and yeah he spent 8 weeks in the NICU and is behind developmentally and physically but he's alive and healthy so if Collins comes (and she better not), she would have a good chance of survival. I told her she better keep her butt in there though!

Glucose Test Results Are In...

I passed!!!!!!

This makes me SO happy! I was already getting sick of Derek being up my back every time I wanted to eat something with sugar in it. Now I'm not going to go crazy and eat as many sweets as I was before but no more sugar free candy for this girl! Thanks so much for all your prayers on Friday. Collins and I really appreciate it. Now where's some candy...

Thursday Thoughts

First of all, I didn't mean to complain so much yesterday about my glucose test. Collins is 100% worth all this testing, dieting, etc. I'm mad at myself for not being more careful on my sugar intake and I don't want mine or Collins health to be in jeopardy. I have been without candy, cake, syrup, peaches, etc since Tuesday. I might have had to go buy some sugar free candy last night to satisfy my craving (don't worry, the fake sugar is ok in moderation) but Collins health is most important to me so if I have to limit my sugar intake, I will. I want her healthy and not 10+lbs at birth :)

My awesome brother is lending me his ipad for my 3 hour testing tomorrow so hopefully I can keep my mind of puking/passing out. Derek really wants to come with me in case something happens but I would rather him save his time off. There will be plenty of nurses around in case something were to happen and I am going to need him more after Collins is born. I am going to drink way more cold water tomorrow then I did at yesterday's testing and maybe bring a portable fan too. I can totally sympathize with menopausal women and their hot flashes now.

I just texted Ian and Gage's mom to see how their first day went and she said she can tell their both a little stressed out. Ian was unhappy last night and cried when they dropped him off this morning. Breaks my heart. I think I'll go see them next week and maybe that will help all 3 of us from being sad!

Speaking of being sad, my niece Harper had surgery this morning. It was a simple procedure but I have been thinking about her all day. She had tubes put in her ears (again) and her adenoids taken out. Surgery went great and she is healing at home. My sister said she is very tired and grumpy. Poor thing!!! 

My emotional self can't take all these sad things today!!! And when I say emotional, I am not lying. Hormones are kicking in and I could cry if someone looked at me wrong. Ask Derek.

I forgot to mention in my weekly post yesterday that we are signed up for birthing class! Our 4 week class goes from mid Oct till beginning of Nov. You think that's cutting it to close to my due date (Nov 23)? I just want things to be fresh in my mind when I go into labor.

Also forgot to mention that my baby shower in Derek's hometown has been set. Sept. 23 will be my Galva shower and my KC one will probably be the first weekend in Oct. We are already registered so we are good to go!

A huge happy birthday to my grandma (hi grandma)! I love you so much and hope you can get out of the hospital soon and enjoy some cake and cuddles with Maggie.

I think that's all my thoughts for now. I am ready for this week to be over with!

Glucose-Screening Test-FAIL

*I also posted my weekly update today so scroll to the bottom of the page to read it*

Well this morning was my dreaded glucose-screening test. This test tells whether you have gestational diabetes or not. It's very common in pregnant women but usually women who are obese, over the age of 35, have high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes. Thought I was in the clear since I don't meet any of those requirements.

 I was given the sugary drink at my last appt and was told to drink it within 5 minutes, an hour before my test. So at 8am this morning, I gulped that thing down. It's about 6oz of a very sugary drink. I drank as much of it as I could without stopping and tasting it, just in case it was awful. It tasted just like fruit punch so it wasn't bad. It was just a lot to drink in 5 min. That last 2 oz were rough to get down.

I'd like to add that I couldn't eat anything after midnight and could only have water until after my blood was drawn. Couldn't even have a piece or gum or a mint. I got to my appt about 8:50 because I needed to have my blood drawn at 9:03 (an hour after I finished the drink). The lady was super nice, didn't even feel the needle go in, shots don't bother me so I watched her fill the 2 tubes with blood, put the band aid on me and sent me out to the waiting room (I had my monthly appt following the test). My friend and doctor recommended bringing a snack to eat after the test but I wasn't starving and thought I could wait till after my appt. About 10-15 min after my test, I started feeling like I could throw up. The feeling went away so I thought I was good. 5 min later I got SO hot, dizzy and thought I was going to puke. I didn't want to pass out in the waiting room so went back to where the nurses and doctors are. I heard the nurse say my name like she was about to go out and call me back so I said I was right here and was super dizzy and felt like throwing up. The nurse quickly sat me down and rushed to get ice in my water. I chugged my water and almost immediately felt better. I had been drinking my water but I guess it wasn't cold enough. I have never seen my skin as white as it was. She said I was probably feeling like this due to the test which I had unfortunately failed. She was surprised I had this reaction because most people who felt like this, passed the test. So here I was, feeling like crap and then had to hear that I failed the test. She said I barely failed and my number was 151 and they like it to be under 135 (which seems like a big difference to me but she said it wasn't). My usual doctor was gone today so I had a doctor I had never seen before, go figure. She didn't tell me much about gestational diabetes just that I needed to make an appt to do the 3 hour testing within the week and that she wouldn't be surprised if I passed the next one. I won't be diagnosed with gestational diabetes until after the result of the 3 hour test.

So Friday at 9am, I get to do this whole test again but this time, I get to have my blood drawn 3 extra times. I will have it drawn when I get there, then I will have to drink the drink at the office and have my blood checked every hour for 3 hours after that. I am dreading this sssooo much. If I almost passed out after 1 blood draw today, how am I going to handle it 3 more times?! They said I can't leave between each one and get fresh air either, I have to stay in the room where someone can make sure I am doing ok. Good thing cause I am pretty sure I am either going to puke or pass out. Wish me luck!! And yes, I will be limiting my sugar intake until after Friday's results.

25 Weeks (8/10/12)

How far along? 25 weeks

Size of baby: 1.5 pounds and 13.5 inches. About the size of a zucchini

Weight gain: 13 lbs. Must slow down on the weight gain. Doctor didn't say anything but I was hoping to stay around 20-25 lbs by the end of the pregnancy.

Maternity clothes: Been wearing a couple maternity tank tops and maternity jeans since it's been cooler this week.

Stretch marks: Not that I can see

Sleep: Not bad. Just up to pee 2-3 times a night.

Symptoms: Heartburn here and there and allergies off and on but other then that, been feeling great!

Best moment this week: Hearing your heartbeat today (she didn't tell me what it was) and doing the gestational diabetes test this morning...which I failed and am totally bummed about. Doing a separate post on that later today. We also painted her dresser this weekend and I got a big shipment of headbands for her in the mail today. Bring on the bows!

Movement: Morning, noon and night. Love watching my belly move and putting my hand on there so I can feel her kicking. She has had the hiccups a couple times too.

Food cravings: Ugh don't even get me started on this! I blame this gestational diabetes 100% on Collins. I have never been a huge sweets fan until I got pregnant and now I want it allll the time. I am too embarrassed to tell what I ate yesterday but I guarantee that's why I failed my test this morning.

Gender: GIRL!!!! Collins Cate Lorson

What I miss: I miss candy already and it's only been since last night!

Milestones: Well I wish I could say I passed the diabetes test  but I'll be going in for the long 3 hour testing on Friday. Please pray I pass it!

Randos

Since all I have been posting about has been about Collins (you all might as well just get used to that though), I figured I would do a post on some random stuff going on:

Tuesday is my last day watching the twins. I have watched them since they were 8 weeks (now their 2.5) so it's going to be pretty bittersweet. Think I might get a cake and throw a little party Tuesday after nap.

We have been having issues with Elsie taking things out of Collins room when we are gone. We are beginning to think she is going to have a harder time with the new baby then we originally thought. She has pulled out bows, blankets and a cloth diaper and tried "playing" with them. She has been extremely cuddly with me too (more then usual). Zoe had to go to the vet last week for shots and the vet said dogs know when their owner is pregnant and some can start acting out. So we are going to make sure we give her extra attention and include her in as much as we can when the baby comes. Who knew we would have this problem with our DOGS!

Speaking of dogs, when I took Zoe to the vet last week, they felt her bladder and thought she had stones again. I about passed out. Luckily they did xrays and she just needed to go to the bathroom. Darn dog is going to make us broke if she keeps getting these darn stones!

We've been staying busy these past 2 weekends. 2 weekends ago we went back to Galva and got to see Derek's family. It's always good to go back and see all Derek's family and of course, our nephew and nieces! We got to watch miss Paizley while her parents and siblings went to a reception. She is such a cutie and we had fun practicing our baby skills :) Last weekend Derek had some friends from Wichita stay with us and they all decked it Saturday night and then went to the Royals game Sunday. My sister and the kids were here so I spent most of the weekend with them.

I'm currently anticipating the Spice Girls performance at the Olympics closing ceremony. We had lunch with my grandparents today and I asked them to record it on VHS like the good ole days. I used to be OBSESSED with the Spice Girls and always had my grandparents record them when they came on tv. Our VCR wasn't cool enough to record so they always got to watch it and record it for me. I seriously have like 5 VHS' of recorded Spice Girls stuff. Don't judge.

I have my gestational diabetes test on Wednesday. Please pray I don't have it. As much as I have been eating sugar though, I probably do. I'll update you with results Wednesday in my weekly pregnancy post.

We can't wait for K-State football season. Well, football season in general for Derek but I only watch my cats.  I ordered a cute k-state maternity dress to wear to the game we are going to in Sept.

Please say a prayer for my grandma Long. She is in the hospital unable to keep food or water down. She is doing better but their still running tests to see what's going on.

Other then that, we have been staying busy getting the nursery ready and buying stuff for our baby girl. We have a few trips planned these next couple weeks and then I have a baby shower end of Sept. and beginning of Oct. Before we know it, it's going to be November and Collins will be here!!!

24 Weeks (8/3/12)

How far along? 24 weeks

Size of baby: 1.3 pounds and 11.8 inches. About the size of an ear of a corn.

Weight gain: I'll know for sure next week but my guess is around 11 pounds

Maternity clothes: Been wearing a couple maternity tank tops. Went to Old Navy yesterday and got a couple non maternity things in bigger sizes. And they were all on clearance. Bonus!!

Stretch marks: Not that I can see

Sleep: Pretty darn good this week. Been taking allergy medicine right before I go to bed so that has helped a ton. Sunday night I only woke up 1 to pee. That's a record!

Symptoms: Great except for allergies off and on.

Best moment this week: My sisters feeling Collins move. It takes some patience cause she gets shy when people put their hands on my belly but they are both pretty sure they felt her. Derek felt her again too!

Movement: Yep! Man it's the best feeling EVER! I think I felt her have the hiccups at 4am this morning.

Food cravings: Still breakfast foods and candy and been eating a lot of peaches too.

Gender: GIRL!!!! Collins Cate Lorson

What I miss: Sleeping on my back

Milestones: If she were to come (and she better not), she would have a chance of survival. She would need a lot of medical help but she would have a chance of survival. She better stay put for many more weeks though. Grow baby, grow!

And because Elsie sat at my feet while I took these pictures begging to have her pic taken

Nursery Remodel: Part 1

A few weeks ago, Collins room was used as our guest room. We have 3 guest rooms but 1 is a toy room in the basement, 1 was our guest room/naping room for 1 of the babies and 1 was empty except for nap mats for toddlers. Our master bedroom is up about 5 steps from the main floor so I knew when I got pregnant, the room at the bottom of our stairs, would be the nursery. After we found out we were having a girl, we moved the guest bed into the empty and started working on the nursery. I was a little antsy and we got furniture before we did any work to the room.

No worries, we are painting this. My dad found it outside someones dumpster so it was FREE!

I was undecided about the chair rail but after setting up the crib, I decided I didn't like it. Some people like them but I wasn't a fan. It really bothered me that it was cream and her furniture is white. So my dad came to the rescue and knocked it down in about 5 min.

Before remodeling started. Guest bed out but still use it as a nap room for 1 of the kids

Papa Long taking down the chair rail

We probably would have put a big hole in the wall had Papa Long not done it

A couple days after my dad took the chair rail down, the painters came to paint the the 2 toned wall. I'll leave the pictures of the paint color out until I do the final reveal :)

23 Weeks (7/27/12)

How far along? 23 weeks

Size of baby:  A little over a pound and 11.4 inches. About the size of a pomegranade

Weight gain: 10-11 pounds

Maternity clothes: No but I need to invest. As you can tell, I am wearing the same shirt I wore a couple weeks ago (below is a comparison). All my shirts and tanks are getting too tight and too short. T-shirts are no longer comfortable because their so tight.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: Not good earlier this week because I didn't think I was allowed to take allergy medicine but after calling the doctor on Tuesday, I learned I could and I have been sleeping much better. Besides the waking to go to the bathroom of course. And a dog who gets extra cuddly when it's thundering (twice this week now). 

Symptoms: Couple headaches and a tiny bit of heartburn. Atleast that's what I think it was. I have never had heartburn but after explaining my sypmtoms to Derek who takes tums like their candy, I am pretty sure that's what it was.

Best moment this week:  Getting stuff in the mail for her. She got 2 things in 1 day the other day. That's more then I ever get!

Movement: Oh yeah. Mostly in the morning or at night. Basically, when I am laying still. Sometimes I poke at her and tell her to wake up just so I can feel her :)

Food cravings: Still breakfast foods and candy. I've been doing pretty good with meat lately. Just has to be grounded up. No juicy steak or grilled chicken for me. Vomit.

Gender: GIRL!!!! Collins Cate Lorson

What I miss: Being able to easily get up and turn over in bed. It's getting harder and harder to bend over and get up.

Milestones: She is finally a pound! The books say she is really going to start packing on weight now so that makes me happy. Bring on the fat rolls. On her, not me.

                  13 weeks                                       vs.                               23 weeks