Did anyone say nesting instinct???

WOW! Maybe it's the Holiday spirit that's taken over my body, or the fact that we've gotten a lot of new baby stuff or maybe it's just good 'ole mother nature kickin' in and tellin me, "Get ready for baby!" Whatever it is, I've been busy these past few days getting things organized and ready. We now have all of the essential baby furniture that we'll need for the first few months, I think. We've got the crib, changing table, glider and ottoman, bassinet/pack-n-play and baby carrier with 2 car-seat bases. Phew!

The thing that I'm most excited about today is that glider! We've been looking for one for a long time and keep going back to one that'd be nearly $800 after tax and such and we just couldn't bring ourselves to spend that. Well, I've gone to several furniture stores on my own and today Brendan and I went to another 4-5. The first 2 had nothing! After going to those Brendan suggested that maybe we just not even try HOM and I decided we should still stop in since it's at the same exit as the 2 baby stores we were gonna go re-check. Well, THANK goodness that we went there. We found an awesome deal on a black metal glider and ottoman combo. However, as we're sitting there enjoying the comfort of the chair the salesperson mentioned that they just ran an ad on that chair a few weeks ago and they are now on backorder until MARCH! Darn-it-all! Thankfully, I remembered that when we looked at Furniture Outlet USA a few months ago we saw either the same chair or one very similar. Well, we decided to go home and have some lunch and I'd go check out F.O. USA. Guess what they had in-stock AND cheaper??? You got it, the glider-ottoman combo! YEEHAW!!! SO, for $168.00 I got a glider and ottoman with teflon treatment for stains! NICE!

I also got the changing table and pack 'n play all put together and set-up, stocked with diapers, wipes and booty-cream.

On the baby-front: I had my bi-monthly check-up on Tuesday. Heartrate of Baby was 148 and s/he is now in the head-down position... getting closer and closer to being ready to be here. The gestational diabetes is going ok. Still no fun pricking the finger 4 times daily, but I'm doing a good job of keeping my glucose levels in a healthy range which is good for both Baby and me. Speaking of Baby... it's getting to his/her busy time, so I gotta go... it doesn't like me leanin' over at all and that's what I'm doing now. HA! :) Already a picky person. I tried to upload pics of the pack 'n play and changing table, but blogger isn't working right, so another time...
Love to all!!!
~j & baby m

Testing, testing 1-2-3-4

Well, this is what I use 4 times a day to test my blood glucose levels... it is with me at all times, though I wouldn't exactly call it my new best friend. So far things are going ok... when I eat too much carbs I can feel it and my test results prove it. It's all just taking time to learn what I can handle and cant. I'll be perfectly honest that I would not be upset if this child were to arrive a few weeks early.

Other than my testing there's really not a whole lot else to report. Sleep is something that I dream of... day-dream that is. I woke up the other night and realized that in the 4 hours it had been since I went to bed I hadn't moved. Obviously I was beyond exhausted, though it's almost rougher that way cause rolling over is the most painful thing I've ever experienced, especially when I've been perfectly still for so long.

Any questions just ask. I can't think of anything else to say, sorry. Love to all!!!
~jen & baby m
p.s. here's me at 32 1/2 weeks... I feel like house!!! (I guess I kind-of am for someone, huh?!)

Not what we hoped for...

Thursday I was informed that I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes :(

This coming Tuesday I will be meeting with a nutritionist/dietitian and a diabetes educator. I will learn the details of what I will be doing to manage my condition throughout the duration of my pregnancy. Based on what we've read on the Mayo Clinic website, I will for sure be monitoring/testing my blood sugar multiple times daily. Also, a study was completed in 2005 that determined that it is best to treat the condition with insulin, so even though this isn't something I was hoping that I'd have to do, I do want to do whatever is best for baby and I can handle daily injections if that is ensuring my child's health.

That's really all for now. I'll post more as I learn more... Please keep the prayers coming that this can now be managed easily and appropriately.
Love to all!!! Thanks for your support!
~jen & baby & brendan

Prayers Please!!!

Hello to all. Well, I had my non-fasting glucose test this past Tuesday. Man, did baby like that sugar! Well, Friday morning I got a call on my cell from the doctor. As soon as I heard who it was I knew the news probably wasn't great. Well, it turns out that my body seemed to have a hard time and my glucose level (preferably below 129) was 168. SO, what that means is that I'm at risk for having developed gestational diabetes and I need to go in for a more comprehensive set of tests. This coming Tuesday I'll be taking part in a 3 hour glucose test which involves fasting for 12 hours prior to the test. Upon arrival at the clinic they will take an initial blood sample to see my beginning glucose level. I will then enjoy the scrumptious glucose (sugar) filled drink and over the following 3 hours my blood will be tested numerous times to see how my body responds to the high levels of glucose.

Needless to say, I was pretty emotional after I got the call just because no one wants to have to deal with any complications during pregnancy and I already dealt with 3-4 months of morning/all day sickness. Well, Brendan and I researched a bit and it turns out that up to 25% of women have high glucose readings on their initial test. Out of all pregnancies 3-5% develop gestational diabetes. So, I had about a 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 chance of testing high to begin with. It's not really an outrageously serious condition as it can be treated and managed with a diet high in fiber, complex carbs, and protein and very low in sugar. But seriously, of ALL times of the year to have to avoid sugary stuff?! CHRISTMAS!!! Grr!

So, please pray that the 2nd test turns out ok and I can still partake in the holiday goodies. Really, though, pray that no matter the results I am able to easily maintain a healthy pregnancy. Love to all and thank you!
~j