San Francisco

We had a week off of school before Jared started his third year! So in celebration of this free time we loaded up the car, put Elsie in the care of friends, and drove to San Francisco! We met another couple, Angie and Neal, up in San Fran. The hotel wasn’t the nicest, but it was livable and in a wonderful location….we were able to walk everywhere!

We arrived in San Francisco early evening and immediately began site seeing. Jared and I walked to Lombard Street (the crookedest street) and then met our friends at an Italian restaurant in the North Beach area. After dinner we hit up Ghirardelli Square for delicious chocolate desserts!

Sunday morning we took a ferry to Alcatraz. Alcatraz is an old prison on an island in the Bay. It has since been turned into a national park. They have done a really cool job with the tour of Alcatraz. They provide everyone with a recorded tour voiced by old prison guards. We were guided around the main prison and told stories of inmates and attempted escapes. It was a lot of fun! Once back on the main land, we ate on Pier 39. The boys ate clam chowder for the first time and loved it! We also saw the sea lions on the pier. After a short nap back at the hotel we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge and found a neat viewing point of the bridge. From there we drove by the “painted Ladies”, which are a group of old Victorian house that are preserved by the historical society. They are also in the opening song sequence of “Full House”!




On our last day Jared and I walked to China Town and then to Union Square. This walk took us far from the hotel, so we rode a cable car back! This trip was a lot of fun and a needed get away!

6.

That's right! I'm 34 weeks along!

I said I was going to do a weekly baby update, and I plan on doing just that....no matter how little I have to tell!

Baby Awesome seems to be doing well. His hiccups are not as frequent as they were last week. He is also moving a little less, but the doc thinks that is due to his cramped living spaces. I have given him (baby) permission to spread out, but he seems very content hanging out on my right side. I forgot to mention that the ultra sound last week showed Baby Boy in the head down position! Yeah!

Not that I want to complain, just want to keep everyone in the loop, here are my pains:I am not sleeping well because of the sore hips/thighs and the need to literally sit up and reposition when I am uncomfortable in bed....not to mention the frequent restroom trips. My tailbone and pelvic bone have also be sore....not a pleasant feeling. My heart burn is starting to pick up. With all that being said....I'm feeling good today!

Funny side note: Our sleeping situation has become interesting...picture this: 3 full length body pillows, 2 grown adults (one with a belly), and occasionally a dog (when Jared sneaks her in) all in one queen size bed! Why 3 body pillows?! I needed 2 because they have really helped with the hip soreness and Jared COULD NOT part with his; this resulted in a purchase of a third one!

7.

The count down continues...7 weeks!

I am going to try and post a weekly update.

Baby Update:
Little man has recently started hiccuping. This has been fun and interesting (nice word for annoying). It's cute to think of my little guy having cute baby hiccups. It's also comforting because fetal hiccups are a sign of a healthy baby....he is practicing his breathing! Jared has also enjoyed being able to experience them. At one point we put some music on my belly and must have startled the baby (maybe it was too loud) because he instantly started hiccuping and moving!

Doctor update: I had an appointment today....

• I am measuring small for date, so the doctor did an ultrasound to get a better idea of the baby's size. All is well! He is measuring to date and may even weigh 5lbs.! I know they say not to take these measurements seriously because it may be a pound more or less.



• I have an iron deficiency....I'm anemic. Need more iron.



• I have thrombocytopenia. This means I have a low platelet count. The norm is 150,000. 3 weeks ago my blood test showed I was low at 135,000. The doctor ordered another blood test and my results today showed I was at 112,000. What this means: my platelets, which are the first treatment to stopping a bleed (if I get cut platelets are what start the healing/scabbing process). The doctor doesn't seem too concerned at this time. I will continue to get biweekly blood tests as they monitor my platelet count. If I drop below 70,000 then I cannot have an epidural...ahhhhh! The doctor said this happens in 1-2% of pregnant women for no reason. Other reasons for low platelet counts could be an indication of an auto immune disorder, or preeclampsia....neither of which my doc thinks I have. There is also very little chance of the baby having a low platelet count...which would be bad. I will keep you posted!



• Some of you knew I had found a lump in my left armpit. It has grown considerably since I have been pregnant. I had done my own research (surprisingly the Internet was reassuring..not always the case) and based on all the blood tests I have had with no indication of something wrong (aside from the low platelet count) I wasn't concerned when I talked with the doctor today. He only reassured me by saying it was possible breast tissue and milk. This comes as no surprise....my increasingly beautiful breast size needs some place to go! Apparently we have milk glands located in our pits!

I know this seems like a lot of negative, but until I'm told to worry, I think I'm lucky not to have anything too serious!

8 weeks to go!

I know I haven't posted baby news in a while so it's time for an update! I am 32 weeks! Baby Awesome is still moving a lot and especially likes to be active in the evenings when I am resting. I am still feeling well, with the occasional lower back pain, hip soreness, indigestion, and hormonal cry fests (poor Jared)! Jared has been wonderful! Always very thoughtful of my needs and offering to get things for me...love you babe!

(Not sure if it should have been considered my first) But Jared made my first mother's day special! He was a trooper and tagged along to stores I normally can't get him into (Ikea and Hallmark), and took me to dinner at Bucca Di Beppo. Thank you for a great day!

We also recently attended Jared's end of the year banquet. It was nice to see Jared relax after a long year. We ate, talked with many classmates, and danced. Jared was even voted "Life of the Party" by his class! To solidify his title Jared put on a full ginger bread costume (for those of you who know my hubby, this should come as no surprise) that he purchased for random wearings such as this! He made his way on to the dance floor and entertained his class!

Ellen Continued...

As part of my appearance on the Ellen Show I was giving a ticket to her Mother’s Day special! The taping was last Thursday and was a ton of fun! I had a VIP ticket which allowed me (and all other VIP) to be seated in the studio first. I happen to sit in front of Ellen’s mom! The show was filled with Ellen showering the audience, full of first time pregnant moms, with baby gifts! Jared and I are so thankful to have been given this opportunity and never dreamed something like this would happen to us! Many have asked what was received…I have posted a video of some of the gifts, but below are a few of my favorites!

1. Teutonia Stroller….so cool! We got the 3 wheel frame, a carrycot, and seat, which are able to be switched out. We plan on buying the car seat.

2. 6 months worth of Huggies diapers
3. High Chair….Starts as a high chair, then flips around (literally) to be a chair for a child!