28 Weeks

Today was my 28 week appointment. I always get a little freaked out before appointments and my mind wanders to dark places of the "what ifs." Thankfully, everything is perfect with my and the little man. His heart rate was strong and even, my blood pressure is great, measuring exactly 28 weeks. The highlight of the appointment was the glucola drink. It tastes like what I'd imagine the syrup that goes into a soda fountain is like. It's thick, sweet and pretty foul all around. They did a blood draw to test for gestational diabetes and iron deficiancy, and the results should be in later this week.

Because I'm a paranoid freak, they hooked me up to the fetal monitor for 20 minutes to do a non-stress test. The little guy was very active, and hasd a steady heart rate. I know I've said it before, but I'm starting to relax a little more - especially now that I'm officially in my third trimester and I'll now see my doctor every two weeks instead of every four.

In case you are interested, baby boy Kleinstein looks something like this at this stage:

28 Weeks Pregnant

UPDATE: All my lab tests came in and I do NOT have gestational diabetes, nor am I amemic. Woo hoo!

Ugh...

Maybe its too much work. Maybe its having been home alone for 5 days. Maybe it's just the pregnancy blahs. Whatever it is, I've been on edge for the last few days. People are saying harmless things that would normally just roll off my back, but they are frustrating the heck out of me. I've gotten into spats with the 3 people I am closest to, and it just stinks.

Granted, I'm exhausted, and I would love to get a good night sleep. I also get really nervous and anxious a few days before every doctors appointment. I'm sure that has a big something to do with my cruddy attitude.

So, I suppose if I snap at you, or seem like I am on a short fuse, I apologize. I think now that I am aware of this, it may put me into check. However, this isn't a free pass to everyone in my life. I may be a little more sensitive than usual, but if you are annoying, I'm entitled to say so :)

Hot Water

Its one of those things that you kind of take for granted. Yesterday, Paul took a shower in the morning, then threw a load of towels in the wash and went to work. About an hour later, I went to take a shower, and the water never got hot. I assumed it was because of the towels, and luckily I had taken a shower the night before. Annoyed, I went off to work unbathed. Not my idea of a good, refreshing, or hygenic way to start the day.

When we came home that night, there was still no hot water. We reset the circuit breakers, thinking maybe one of them had been tripped. Unfortunately, we woke up this morning and still had no hot water. Upon further investigation, our hot water heater was installed in 91, and it looks like the heating element was replaced at one point (this is based on the fact that the box from the heating element was on top of the tank). I put out a desperate plea to my friend, Jerry. He's an amazing fix it person and a licensed electrician. He did some juggling of his schedule and is on his way over to take care of us right now. He assured me that he would have us taking hot showers by tonight, which was music to my pregnant ears.

Aside from the venting, and appreciation of friends, my only purpose in writing this is to tell you all to think twice about your hot showers... and enjoy them!

Another Dose of Reality

At 23 weeks, it's gotten to the very exciting point in my pregnancy that our little man's punches and kicks can be felt from the outside. Do to some anatomy positioning, I've had to wait a little longer than most women to feel his kicks at all. It's only been a week or so that I've been able to tell its actually the baby moving and not just gas or something.

I was curious if it was strong enough for people to feel so I was checking the outside of my stomach after drinking orange juice. Sure enough, I felt the jab from the inside and the outside. Pretty exciting for us, but he won't be on a "regular" activity schedule for another 3-4 weeks, so its been hard for Paul to catch it. Never the less, its pretty darn exciting, and just more proof that this kid is happy and healthy. I'll take as much of that as possible!

Baby Reality

So I've been really cautious to make my pregnancy "real" to the world. We posted it on facebook, and of course here, but I have been really wishy-washy about a shower, and even more so with a baby registry. Paul and I just want to have our little man in our hands before we start celebrating. Now that he's moving almost constantly, and his presence is much more noticible to the outside world (thanks to my steadily growing baby bump) I am settling down a little bit more.

In the last week or so, I've started rethinking the shower and the registry. So much so, that last night Paul and I went to Babies R' Us and started our baby registry. I must say, that while having the scanner and the store at our ready was fun, it was an exhausting and overwhelming process. I ended up coming home and going online to figure out exactly what ended up on there. We didn't do to bad, and only missed a few things, that I was easily able to add online.

I'm still not sure if I am comfortable having a party in honor of the little man before he is actually safely in our lives, but I think the registry was a good first step. I do love to open presents, which is one incentive to have a shower, but I'm just not sure if its a big enough one to outweigh my superstitions. We'll have to see how I'm feeling when the 3rd trimester rolls around next month.

It's a...

BOY!! Our doctor thought he saw a little boy part at our 15 week ultrasound, but today at our 20 week ultrasound, there was no doubt about it. Baby Kleinstein is an absolutely perfect little boy! We are SO super excited for our summer arrival, and can't weet to meet the little guy.

His beautiful little profile

A front shot of his face. You can see they eyes and nose pretty clearly.

Proof of his manhood :)

Adorable little foot

Big News!!

Although I'm pretty sure that everyone who reads this already knows, I still feel its a blog-worthy announcement. After a much anticipated journey, Paul and I are expected our first child in late July! We couldn't be more excited to welcome the little sweet pea into the Kleinstein family.

Predictions of the baby's gender are in full force. The overwhelming majority (Aaron, Jenny, Laura, Molly, Ella and Jackie, Sr) feels the sweet pea is a girl, however Paul and I are leaning towards boy. We honestly don't have a preference either way, and are just thrilled to welcome the little one this Summer... ever if it means no Jersey Shore for us this year. We are hoping to find out the sex at our 15 week appointment on Wednesday, but it may be too early to tell, still.

Below are the pictures of the little one from our 11 week appointment. I'll have some better - less alienlike - ones on Wednesday.

Profile picture... it looks like we got the baby's good side :)

The classic "alien" shot from the front. You can see the face pretty well.