The Ellis Family: June 2007

June 10, 2007 - 41 weeks

Lost the mucous plug today - that was an interesting moment for sure. I won't write all the details about it, but just know it's like gelatin and very thick and your daddy came in to see it. Yes, you're going to be born into a very strange family bubba. Best get used to it now. Hmmm..maybe that's why you're late.

40 wks 4 days

Still pregnant...you are just a happy little monkey in there Jack and you are keeping mommy and daddy in suspense. Today at the dr we are 2 cm and soft but still high. I think you just want to pick your own birthday and you're just not ready - which is okay - this is your only decision to make until you're much much older. Haha. We have an ultrasound and non-stress test on Monday June 11 to see how you're tolerating the womb and if you have enough fluid around you, if not, we would be admitted to the hospital at that point. If you're okay, then we have a dr appt on Wednesday, June 13 to check things internally and on Thursday at 6.30am we would be admitted to the hospital to start the induction process. Now if you would come on your own before then, obviously all of that goes out the window. But at least we know we'll see you soon.

39 wks 4 days

Well we're still pregnant. You're just not close to being ready to come out. I think I've made it too comfy in there for you!! I'm still 1 cm and soft, but still pretty high. Dr. Z doesn't think you'll be coming anytime this weekend. I do hope you come next week though. They won't let me go past 41 weeks so we'd probably talk induction at that point. I'm extremely emotional today and had to make another appt for next week - but the only doc available was Dr. Y and I can't stand her. That's what started me off - I just don't want to see her. Hopefully you'll start things off before we need to go and see her. Everything else is good. Daddy took the truck keys and the car today so Mommy had to run to Bob and Anita's and borrow their van to get to the appt. Silly Daddy!! One of these days, we'll be able to post that you're here! Unfortunately babies aren't as predictable as some of us would like. Hope to see you sooner than later bubba!

38 wks 4 days

Our appt today went great. Dr. K talked to us about your ultrasound and that you're at a great weight. She also talked about induction and c-sections, etc. My blood pressure was a little high at 138/86, but still in the normal range - just higher than I normally am. I think that had to do with it being so hot outside - 87 degrees! Dr. K checked me internally and I am officially 1 centimeter dilated and my cervix is getting softer so that's more progress than our last appt where I wasn't anywhere. Dr. K won't let us go past 41 weeks, so you will be born in the next 2 weeks for sure! We just can't believe it yet! It feels so surreal sometimes but not. We have another appt next week Thursday at 39 wks 4 days and we'll see what the dr says then. At any rate Jack, we'll see you soon!!

37 wks 4 days

We had another appt today - everything is looking great. My blood pressure was 116/70 and that's perfect. Your heartbeat was in the 140's and Dr. K said you sound like such a healthy little boy. It was a quick in and out appt. She checked me internally again and I'm still high and nothing is happening up there yet, which she said is normal.

We also had an ultrasound on Saturday, May 19 to check how much you weigh. The tech said you weigh about 7 lbs 2 oz which we think is just perfect! We don't think you'll be too big a baby, you'll be perfect. You'll gain about an ounce a day until you're born. So my guess is you'll be roughly 8 lbs 4 oz - your daddy's guess is 8 lbs 7 oz. We'll see who's right when you decide to meet us. The tech also said you have chubby chubby cheeks to which we're elated!!! We can't wait to meet you and hope that it's sooner than later! We have everything ready for you and just want to see you! Love you pumpkin!

36 wks 4 days dr appt

Well the Group B Strep test came back negative - so that's a good thing - no need for antibiotics during delivery. Daddy was able to come with me today so we talked with the nurse for awhile and she just told us to relax as much as possible which has been pretty okay for me with not working now. My blood pressure was perfect, no proteins or sugars spilling into my urine, so that's always good. We get to have an ultrasound of you on Saturday, May 19 to see how much you weigh and how big you are!!! We can't wait! Dr. K also did an internal on mommy to see if I'm dialated at all and I'm not - still nice and high which is good - we don't want you coming too early! Your bag is all packed and ready to go to the hospital, mommy's however is not, but it's getting there. Less than 3 weeks left - I think I'm in denial that you'll be here soon!

35 wks 4 days - another dr appt - now onto weekly appts!!

We saw Dr. K again today - she had to swab me for the Group B Strep which wasn't so bad. Next appt I think she starts doing internals to see if there's any progress and we're going to have another ultrasound to see how big you are!! I can't wait to see you again! The nurse was really nice today as well - she asked me if I knew any babysitters in my area and I mentioned to her that I am interested, so the next time I see her we'll have to give her our # so she can give us a call and bring the kids over. That'd be nice for some extra cash and that would mean I get to stay home with you for a little longer!

34 wks 2 days - last prenatal class

Well tonight was our very last baby class:(. Kinda sad about it, but we'd recommend the class to anyone - it was really informative. Tonight we learned about car seat safety, how to bathe you, diaper you, swaddle you, etc. General baby care. Then we watched a c-section video. We had some time to chat as well - so we went around the room discussing all of our babies names, if anyone's chosen pediatricians yet, etc. We asked a lot of questions so we all felt we left with more knowledge than we came with which is what you want. We have less than 6 weeks until your due date and we just can't believe it. It's coming up faster than I thought it would - now we're just so excited to meet you and see what you look like. See you soon!!

33 wks 4 days - dr appt

Saw Dr. Karney again today - we love her! We talked about my cold that I still have and what I can take for it. We listened to your heartbeat and everytime she hears it, she's always like, there's our boy - it's very cool how she is very personal like that. One of the many reasons we love her. She said I'm measuring at 37 wks but not to be worried because I was a bigger girl to begin with anyway. Our next appt we'll be doing an internal for Group B Strep and I think we have an ultrasound as well to see how big you're getting. That was it and out we were. Another great appt.

33 wks 2 days - 3rd prenatal class

Well tonight was our 3rd prenatal class - we had a guest speaker tonight - a family practioner that talked about everything under the sun - it was very informative. We finished up the slideshow and did some more practice breathing. Daddy got kicked in the foot by Kristen because he was counting too fast. HEHE!!! Silly Daddy! We have our last class next week and then we're all on our own!!

32 wks 2 days - 2nd prenatal ed class

Well tonight we met our real instructor, Kristen. She's very funny and teaches the class well - she has 3 children. We went through powerpoint talking about the stages of labor, what your position needs to be in order to come out, and also talked about medicines and such to help with the pain.

Then we got to have a tour of the maternity ward. We are so excited to get there now after the tour!! The labor and delivery room is spacious and very calming and I had tears in my eyes because all I could picture was me on the bed and you on my chest meeting you for the very first time. Daddy pictured you there too. We're so excited to meet you pumpkin! We learned that after you're born, you'll be with us for about an hour and we'll learn how to breastfeed and bond with you, and then they'll take you to the nursery for a bath and some tests. So we're very happy about that.

Then we toured the postpartum room that we'll be in for a day or so after you're born. Those are very nice as well and we can have room service from 7 am-1am and Kristen said there's no reason for us to bring any diapers to the hospital because they'll provide all of them for us, so that's nice. They also have a lovely tea cart with coffee, juice, chips, cookies and nibbles for all of our visitors. That's a really great personal touch.

The maternity ward also has a lovely cradle wall with nameplates and the footprints of babies and their names and date of birth if you make a donation to the floor you get a nameplate for the wall and one to take home - so we'll definitely do that. And daddy's job is to remember to push 3737 to start the lullaby that announces you were born! We can't wait to push that!!! Looking forward to our 3rd class now. Love you sweetpea.

April 13 (29 wks 2 days) - Another great dr appt

We had another appt today with Dr. Karney. Blood pressure was great, although she said if it starts getting higher, we'd have to think about doing non-stress tests. But I don't think it will seeing we've been okay for the last 7 months. We listened to your heartbeat again and it sounded so strong and healthy - we've only got 8 weeks to go until you're full term. We can't wait to meet you! We have another appt in 2 weeks

31 wks 2 days - Our first prenatal education class

We had our first baby class today. It made it feel more real somehow. We learned about how to expect the unexpected, what the hospital offers during delivery and our stay. We learned that your daddy's role in delivery and pregnancy is so very important. We talked about old wives tales and laughed, discomforts in pregnancy, breathing and relaxation techniques. We got on the floor and daddy stroked my head and feet to get me to relax and we practiced deep breathing. We watched a video of a real birth which was amazing and terrifying at the same time, but when that baby boy was born, all I could do was cry. This thing called life is so beautiful and we are so honored and excited to be experiencing it. We're really looking forward to our next class. Love you pumpkin!

March 13 (28 wks 2 days) - Picture perfect pregnancy

Had another dr appt today. Met Dr. Zaino for the 1st time and I love her! She measured my belly which is right on schedule, listened to your heartbeat which was 146bpm. She said according to the old wives tales you should be a girl, but we definitely know you're not. Mommy's blood pressure was normal again, 118/60 so she was happy about that. Dr. Z said that my weight gain was going just fine and to keep doing what I'm doing because you're thriving and this is a picture perfect pregnancy so far. The nurse Cheryl gave me a Rhogham shot today to protect you from any antibodies from my negative bloodtype to you if you happen to have a positive bloodtype like your Daddy. We also got the results from the GTT(glucose tolerance test) and it was 135 - they said anything over 140 and I'd have to go and have the 3 hour test, so everything is perfect.

We only have 12 more weeks until you're full term...it's sad to think about because we've been waiting for you for so long and this pregnancy has just flown by, but we're so excited to see you and hold you in our arms and give you kisses and snuggles! Until then, we'll get your nursery sorted and in tip top shape and we have a couple of baby showers that are being held in your honor, so it won't be too long!!!

March 10th (27 wks 6 days) - A work in progress...

I had the GTT(Glucose Tolerance Test) today. I had to drink this orange drink and wait an hour to have my blood tested to see how my glucose raises. I won't have the results until I see the doctor, and that's on Tuesday. We've been having to reschedule our appts because of deliveries and nurses schedules changing. So on Tuesday we'll see Dr. Zaino and get the Rhogham shot. Then we go back on the 19th for another appt with Dr. Zaino. Hopefully my blood pressure will be in the normal range again and we won't have to worry.

Grandma and Grandpa Konen came down to work on your nursery with us this weekend. We had a lot of holes to patch, outlets and light switches to change, ceiling fan to put up, painted the ceiling(still needs a 2nd coat), painted the baseboard and window and door trim. So we all did a lot of work and we're so thankful that your grandparents came down to help us. We still have the chair rail and crown molding to put up, but it's all coming together for you sweetheart...your nursery is going to be such a relaxing room for you. We can't wait until it's finished and you're in it!

Febrary 23 (25 wks 5 days) - Your room is coming along!

We had another OB appt today. Gained a couple more lbs - now up to an 8 lb gain - dr still isn't happy with that. I've come to the point that as long as you're healthy sweetpea, that's all that matters. My blood pressure was also a little high which makes a first ever, so we'll keep an eye on that as well. Your heartbeat sounded great as usual. We scheduled the Glucose test for March 10 which means mommy has to drink that horrible sugary syrupy stuff and have my blood drawn an hour later!! ICK! And then I get to have a Rhogham shot on the 12th because mommy has negative blood type and your daddy has a positive blood type. That's about it for the appt - I was in there for a couple of minutes and that was that. We are now on bi-weekly appts!

Daddy and I have been working on your room this weekend as well. We got your closet completely repainted and organized - it's so nice! We can't wait to put all of your stuff back in there, but we'll wait on that until we get new carpet. I was a bit sore from doing all that work to your closet and painting everything in there, but for you it's worth it!

February 9th (23 wks 5 days) - Cuddlebug!

We had our Level II ultrasound yesterday and had a great time. The u/s machine they used was so much more high tech than the first u/s I had. We went into the room and there was nice classical music on, the tech turned the lights off and it was so intimate. She went through everything again - we got to see your fingers, toes, thigh bones, stomach, diaphram, kidneys, all parts of your brain, nose, mouth, chin, etc. We saw EVERYTHING! And you're still a boy! You were all cuddled up in there with your hand by and in your mouth - we even saw you opening and closing your little mouth and your tongue poking out!! You were loving your fist!! It was too sweet. You had your ankles crossed and you were laying on one of your hands. You are quite the cuddler! Right now you're using Mommy's bladder as a pillow and your legs are kicking me on my left side. And you are getting stronger everyday!!

The main reason we were there is so they could take a closer look at your heart because at the last scan they saw a white spot which can be a softmarker for heart defects - well she got the right side perfectly and wanted to see the left side but you would just not move - you were much too comfy! So we took a break and I laid on my side thinking you might move, NOPE! Too comfy and cozy in there. You moved a little bit when we got started again and she saw the other side and she said that's definitely not a heart defect, it just looks like it's a reflection off one of the heart muscles so you're perfectly fine and healthy! You got really excited at one point because your heartbeat was around 160 and you were kicking and moving around - such an active little punkin! And the fetal heart study is cancelled!! YAY!

You weigh about 1 lb 9 oz right now and measure exactly to the 23 wks 5 days. So we're just a cookin'. The tech had some extra time so she switched it over to 3D/4D in motion and that was awesome. We didn't get any shots of your face because your tiny hand was over it - I think you were saying, hey mom and dad, you already know what I am - you're not going to know what I look like. LOL. But we got the sweetest profile and your leg and foot and hand. We think you were also trying to play with your feet in there. The perinatologist came in afterward and said yep, he's definitely a healthy little boy, heart is perfect so we can cancel that fetal heart study. We were so happy and excited! We're so happy we got to have another scan because this tech was much better than the last - she showed and explained everything to us. When we were nearing the end of the scan, you moved your arm back and forth like you were waving...of course Mommy and Daddy had some tears. We were in there for about 1 hr and it was so wonderful.

You are such a joy baby, we can't even imagine what it'll be like once you're born. We love you!

January 26 (21 wks 5 days) - Active little boy!

Another OB appt today. Blood pressure perfect, weight gain was mentioned - 6 lbs in only 22 weeks sounds pretty decent to me. But I'm going to continue to watch what I eat and make sure I don't gain too much weight. Your heartbeat was perfect, but then you must've gotten bored because there was a huge thump and you moved away from it...you're such an active little guy.We had to schedule a Level II Ultrasound for 2/9 to take a better look at your heart, on the basic Level I the tech wasn't able to see your heart as well as she wanted to. We also have a Fetal Heart Study scheduled for 2/14 - we hope it's nothing too serious and that it turns out to be just fine, it's the waiting and unknowingness of it all that worries us. We'll definitely update when we know what's happening.

January 24th, 2007 (21 wks 3 days) - Daddy's lucky day!

It was Daddy's lucky day Jack! He won some money on a scratch off ticket and he finally got to feel you in Mommy's belly! You were being a stubborn little guy whenever Daddy would put his hand on Mommy's belly, you would stop moving, but then you gave a nice solid kick and sure enough, Daddy felt you moving. You made his day pumpkin!

January 20, 2007 (20wks 6 days) - IT'S A BOY!!

We had our big ultrasound today. Everything looked wonderful! It was incredible to see that little baby on the screen and see the eyes, nose and lips. We also got to find out that Pumpkin is a BOY! We thought it was going to be a girl, but we were pleasantly surprised. We're so excited! The ultrasound went great, we saw the bloodflow to his brain and his heart and everything looked very healthy and good. He was moving around like crazy so the tech couldn't get a closeup of a few things, so we'll see if we have to go back or not. Of course we had to go out straight away and buy some baby boy clothes. We couldn't wait! We have another OB appt on Friday, January 26th, so I will post again for those updates. The news we received today was fantastic and both of us were in tears.

December 28th, 2006 (17 wks 4 days) - Nearly the end of 2006 - oh what a year!

Well Mark and I had another prenatal appt today. We went into the office, they checked my blood pressure and some other things and everything is perfect. Then Dr. Karney came in and had us listen to the heartbeat again. This was the first time Mark heard it and it was such a special moment. We were beaming with happiness. I asked her about my headaches and how when I'm sleeping my hips fall asleep, etc and she said it's all very normal. We got to schedule our big ultrasound for January 20th. So hopefully, if Pumpkin cooperates, we'll know if we're batting for Team Blue or Team Pink. We're very excited to know and to actually see our little pumpkin again seeing we haven't seen him/her since I was 6 wks 3 days along. This pregnancy is going by so quickly it seems. It seems like yesterday I just got my BFP(big fat positive), but I'm nearly 18 weeks already. We sure can't wait to meet this little one, but we definitely want to wait until closer to our due date. Pumpkin needs to bake quite a bit longer. It's New Year's soon and we never thought that 2007 would bring us so much joy and happiness. This moment is definitely cherished as I don't want to miss a thing.

November 28th, 2006(13 weeks 2 days) - 1st doctor's appt

1st Dr's appt today and everything was great and normal. She wanted to check the heartbeat and within a second of her putting it on my belly, the little heartbeat was so loud and strong. I had tears. It was an amazing moment, I’m just sad that Mark couldn’t be there. Heartbeat was 160 bpm and it was the most wonderful sound in the world. I know now that everything is going to be okay and I’m really going to have this baby. When we were listening to the heartbeat, I just kept saying, it’s really real now. There’s something there inside me and I know it’s alive and well. We’ll have another appt in 4 weeks and then we’ll get to learn the sex of the baby, hopefully 2 weeks after that. I can’t believe I’m already 13 wks 3 days. It’s going so fast but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.

November 20, 2006 (12 weeks) - 2nd trimester already???

Who woulda thunk it? This 1st trimester went by so quickly - it seems that we just found out, but already we're in the 2nd trimester. Thanksgiving is this Thursday and we have so many things to be thankful for. Our first OB appt is on Tuesday and we're really looking forward to hearing the heartbeat or hopefully seeing pumpkin on an ultrasound. Once we get confirmation that everything's okay - we are releasing this Web site for everyone to enjoy!!

October 24, 2006 (8 weeks 2 days) - 1st OB appt..with the nurse.

I saw Dr. Yao's nurse Clare today. She took my entire history and then went for some labs..I think they took about 7 vials of blood - I was getting a bit nervous that they were taking it all!! I need some of it at least. LOL. Next OB appt and ultrasound(hopefully) is Nov 21 when I'll be 12 weeks 2 days.

October 18, 2006 (7 weeks 3 days) - Released from my RE

Well he helped us get pregnant and now we're done and off to the OB. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to everyone I've gotten to know so well at the Fertility Centers of Illinois - we will go back once we have our baby.

October 11, 2006 (6 weeks 3 days) Today we saw our pumpkin!!

What a wonderful sight to see that little flicker of a heartbeat. 117 beats per minute today. We couldn't be happier. We were anxious to see the baby and make sure everything was okay, but our ultrasound tech Kristen told us right away that everything looked really good. We're looking forward to our next ultrasound!

Shouting the wonderful news from the rooftop!!
We of course told our family members straight away - we didn't do anything clever because most of them guessed anyway. We haven't told any of our friends yet as we're just going to play it safe and wait until the 2nd trimester. Everyone of course was so happy and overjoyed for us as they know we have been trying and wanting this little one for so long. You're already so loved Pumpkin!

October 1, 2006 (5 weeks) - Symptoms

Wow am I tired! I can't get enough sleep! I'm falling asleep on the couch at 8.30p.m. It's amazing how this little miracle is making his/her mommy so tired! No morning sickness though which is a plus!! Still on progesterone supplements until probably week 12 just to make sure pumpkins safe and sound.