More Updates

We had a great trip to Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving week. It was very low keyed for what we usually do- thanks to my very pregnant condition. But, it was warmer than it was here and the kids got to do some fun things. As soon as pictures are uploaded I'll record all about the trip.

In the meantime, I want to record this pregnancy. I'm so surprised the things I don't remember about previous pregnancies and it bugs me, I'm glad I wrote (most) of them down. I'm now 34 weeks. The Gestational Diabetes test did come back positive and that has added another kink to the pregnancy. It is really just a pain, I have to check my blood 4 times/day and watch what I eat- not too many carbs, but not too few either. When my sugar levels get too high or too low I can feel it and it doesn't feel good! We started the first few days just trying to control the sugars with my eating. It didn't work, so we went to a medicine called Glyburide. I started with just 5mg's in the morning and my daytime blood sugars came down great (sometimes almost too low), but the overnight (fasting one) still didn't come down so I had to start using 5mg's in the morning and 10 mg's at night. It still isn't doing a great job, but I had a great level this morning so, we are going to wait and see if they stay down. If they don't I'm going to have to go on insulin. I am hoping that is not the case, but I know it's what is best for the baby and it will only be for a few more weeks.

I guess with the GD there are some problems that can arise for the baby. One of them being having too big of a baby, and for a girl who already has 10 pound babies, a bigger baby scares us all! I guess there can also be some lung problems (and I did that with Bevan- no desire to repeat!) So, every other week I get to go have an ultrasound (which is kind of fun) and at least one Non stress Test. I feel like I live at the Dr.'s office. Good thing I like my Dr. since I see her more than I do my husband!

On Monday I have to go see the perinatologist (a Dr. who specializes in unborn baby problems) to have an in-depth ultrasound. I have a lot of extra amniotic fluid (I have had this before and also GD can cause this) but my Dr. felt like she needed a second opinion on the baby because the extra fluid can also be a sign of some defects with the baby. I have felt pretty calm about this but do occasionally get twinges of nerves! We are praying that things are how they should be and if they aren't that it will be something we can handle.

Because of the size of this baby (at last ultrasound he weigh approx. 7 pounds) and the extra fluid- I am HUGE and my stomach is measuring bigger than it should at full term. Holly told me I'm the biggest pregnant woman she's ever seen- those sisters, they'll always tell you the truth! :)

I still have this silly muscle pulling away from my pelvis thing. Yes, it is excruciating! It makes sideways movement almost impossible and turning over in bed is sometimes enough to make me cry out in pain. Walking overall is not a good thing and because of how huge my muscle is swollen the Dr. has told me to stay off my feet as much as possible. Ha, ha! Like that is possible with working and having 3 kids and a husband who is gone more than he's home.

Speaking of husbands being gone. Since the first of August Doug has been working in Salt Lake. To cut down on the gas money and wear and tear on the car Doug stays down with Alesa during the week (we are VERY grateful for their hospitality) but this has been EXTREMELY hard. I've tried not to complain too much because I'm honestly grateful that he's working, but, wow! I am not cut out to be a single mom! Especially a pregnant, single mom. I've had to learn to let some things go, like sometimes that piece of paper on the floor can just sit there until some one else can pick it up! I have had some projects that HAD to get finished if I didn't want this baby to sleep in the bath tub. Thank goodness my mom has picked up the slack on that! And she's been so willing to haul the kids around for me while I'm working. I'm not sure how this situation will change. Right now, I'm so glad Doug is working. When the baby comes...

I'm very grateful that I've made it this far with NO bed rest!!!! It's a first! The blood pressure is high but protein levels are low. So far, so good! Hooray!

Now, to make it through the next 3-6 weeks! At least I have the distraction of Christmas!

Life is good!

But busy! And I have to say, I actually like it! Although some days I just grab hold and hold on until the day is over, but I savor every minute! My sil, Leslie ,told me the other day that I'm never home when she calls, yup that's about the way it is!

I'll try in a quick way to wrap up the last few weeks. :) It's basically just a "travel log" so feel free to quit reading, but I want it for my own records.

Holly and Frank came to town on November 23rd, they stayed until November 30th. We had such a great time! Lunch at Fredrico's, dinner at Callaway's, they went to lunch with Katie at school, and Maddie's recess. We ate Thanksgiving dinner with my whole family on Wed. night. Then on Thurs Frank, Holly, Mom and our little family ate another Thanksgiving dinner with fresh turkey, rolls and all the rest of the left-overs. Yum! I love Thanksgiving dinner! I even made Grandma Meikle's rolls (I'll do a separate blog about those later)- the first night they were TERRIBLE (like hard tack) after analyzing them and buying new yeast I tried again, SUCCESS!

Friday morning we went shopping, but since we decided that there was nothing worth getting up at 4:00 am for we decided not to leave until 8:00 am. Unfortunately I still woke up at 4:30 (Doug got up and went and worked out at that time) and laid there in bed and wondered if I should have gone. :) We (Me, Holly, Frank, Alesa, Mom) went to Shopko, Smith's, Old Navy, Al's (twice), Hallmark, Motherhood and to Village Inn for a late breakfast. I was able to get new running shoes, work-out clothes, socks for all, and a few Christmas gifts. The shopping is fun, but really it's the most fun just being with everyone!

Friday night was our "Grandma" party. Every year my mom does a "Grandma" party. (The reason it's called a grandma party is because it technically is just for Grandma and the grand kids but the adults are allowed to come hang out too.) The kids and Grandma decorated sugar cookies, wrote letters to Santa, read a Christmas story and Santa usually comes and visits. Santa always brings ornaments for everyone and we all have to sit on his lap.

Saturday morning was Savannah's 7th birthday party at her Grandma Kandi's house. Yummy breakfast and great company! I decided I needed some exercise so I walked to Kandi's house, I didn't make it the whole way (8.5 miles) because Doug came before I got there, but I did go over 5 miles- not too bad!

Later Mom, Alesa and I went to the Novemberfest (a local craft fair) and I was able to finish up my Christmas shopping.

Of course all these fun days were also spent playing Phase 10, Kinder Bunnies and Killer Bunnies. Thanks all for a great week!

On the 30th is was "Doug" day at church (not really but it seemed that way!) He taught Gospel Doctrine, sang in the choir and spoke in Sacrament meeting. Like normal, he did a great job! He is so smart and doesn't ever seem to even get nervous.

Monday, December 1st, started the wonderful, crazy Christmas season! We decorated our trees and (part of the) house that night.

Wed was our ward Christmas party, Katie and Maddie both had parts in the program- Katie was a "star" and Maddie was the color "red", and I helped with the set-up.

Thurs. I went and did Dream Dinners to help us make it through the rest of the month.

Saturday I was suppose to go to Temple Square with our Young Women & Young Men but Doug's company part was that night so I didn't go. We went and had a yummy dinner at Hamilton's and I was able to meet the people who Doug talks about all the time. (Have I mentioned lately how much Doug likes his job?!?)

Monday (Dec 8th) we were suppose to go, with our friends the Orahoods, to Willard Bay to see the fun drive through lights, but it was too snowy so we didn't go. Instead I went to bed at 8:00. :) But not until after we went to watch Katie sing at the Zion's bank "tree lighting" ceremony with her school class.

Tuesday the girls sang with Tavaci at a local retirement center followed by a LONG Young Women planning meeting.

Wednesday I had Enrichment meeting and my card club (which I had to miss) but Enrichment was fun. We went to three different houses and heard about their family traditions. Each house was decorated so beautifully and I even won a "story a day" advent tree.

Thursday was Katie's piano recital. She played Jingle Bells and O Christmas Tree and did an excellent job!

Friday night was Maddie and Katie's practice for their Tavaci concert.

Finally, Saturday, the girls had Tavaci dress rehearsal and their Tavaci concert. It was wonderful! I love their Tavaci concerts and I'm always amazed at how they come up with new, fun songs every year! Katie even had a speaking part.

Saturday was a VERY snowy day. I left the house at 6:30 am and when I came home at 9:30 am the car had more than 6 inches of snow on it! Crazy! It took Doug almost 2 hours to shovel our driveway and sidewalks. I was suppose to go to lunch with my good friend but we decided to wait for a less snowy day- hopefully that will happen at the end of the month!

All of this FUN stuff happened in addition to all normal things that always happen, dentist appointments, zones, piano lessons, guitar lessons, etc... I love December! Really, I do. I'm glad it's not like this every month of the year but it is fun for one month.