In the beginning...

Ok, so the blog title is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, this is my FIRST blog post EVER, but it's certainly not the beginning of my journey to motherhood. Today I am actually 26 weeks 3 days pregnant, with only 96 more days to go! I know it's strange to start a blog in the middle of a pregnancy, in fact, I'm super jealous of other women's blogs that start with a picture of a positive pregnancy test (I don't have a picture of any of my !5!). I've always liked to write and thought that I had a knack for it but haven't ever taken it seriously. I thought I'd maybe start a blog once I had my first child because then I might have stories to tell. But then I got pregnant and started trolling the Internet for pregnant woman blogs. I wanted to gather experience and information from women in the thick of things who could give me an idea of what to expect...when expecting :). I've probably read close to 30 pregnancy/mommy blogs since June. I think I'm not going to look for any more. I've probably read almost every birth scenario possible, not including the ones I've seen on Baby's First Day (TLC). So I feel relatively prepared for what's to come, or as prepared as a person can be in this situation. Now the time has come for me to start documenting my own journey, for several reasons:

1. Maybe my unique situation can help another women who is pregnant and diabetic
2. I think my friends and family might like a little peek into what's going on around here
3. I want to remember this time in our lives, and maybe my children can come back and read these posts some day. I, more than anyone, know how beautiful it can be to have something of your/ your parent's story to embrace when they're not around

So here goes...

I had an ultrasound and OB appointment yesterday. An ultrasound in the 26th week of pregnancy isn't normal but since I'm diabetic they like to keep an eye on the baby's weight. Diabetes can cause the baby to grow too big, so they want to be sure things are progressing as they should. Since Johnathan had to work, I took Carol (his mother) along with me. Even though she's seen ultrasound pictures, I think there's nothing like being able to see the baby move to make it even more real. The baby was moving quite a bit, and had her feet in her hands just like last time. It seems to be her favorite past time. Carol said that Johnathan used to do that all the time, so that was a neat little tidbit of information. The ultrasound tech was able to get a really good face picture even though it wasn't 3D. Later that night I decided that she has Johnathan's eyes, or at least the shape of them. She measured at 2.3 lbs, which is about 6 days ahead. So nothing to worry about yet. The doctor visit itself was fine, uneventful. Carol seems to like Dr. N so that's good, can't have cat fights in the hospital :).

I've always liked Dr. N because she reminds me of a woman who lived in my neighborhood when I was growing up, who was my mother's best friend when my mother was alive. However, I have noticed a pattern of behavior with her, that rubs me the wrong way. She gets on my case about my blood sugar levels, even though I have an endocrinologist who advises me quite well on that. My blood sugars have been fantastic for a gestational diabetic, in fact they've been really good for a non-diabetic. My a1c which measures blood sugar levels over 3 months has been 4.8 for the last two months. That's better than most non-diabetics. But every time I see her, she has something negative to say about some freak result. I mentioned that my fasting blood sugars have been high lately. She asked what the highest reading has been and I said 120 (it's supposed to be below 90). She then proceeded to tell me that's too high and blahblahblah. I can't remember what she said because I shut down when she does that.  Of course I know it's too high! I beat myself up about it EVERY TIME I have a bad fasting result. The worst part of being hard on myself is that I can't do anything that I'm not already doing to fix it. I'm supposed to have a bedtime snack...I do. I'm supposed to take my meds at bedtime (Metformin pill and insulin shot)...I do. Up my insulin dose as my endocrinologist recommends each week...I do. I'm now at 39 units of insulin at bedtime, just to get my fasting blood sugars under control. The problem with being a pregnant diabetic is that as soon as the plecenta starts growing your endocrin system goes crazy. Meaning I can be doing all the right things: diet, excercise, meds and my blood sugar will still go out of wack. What I don't need is someone else to beat me up over something I can't control! Other than that, she's a peach! Sorry this post is so long, but it is the FIRST! I'll end with an ultrasound picture and a pregnancy survey to track my changes.

Due Date: January 30, 2012 (unless she gets too big and I have to be induced. The doctor told me I WILL NOT go past my due date because they won't let me)

Weight Gain: This is a tricky one to answer. Once I became pregnant I started on a diabetic diet which caused me to lose weight. I've only recently started gaining again. So if we're basing this off of my pre-pregnancy weight I've gained about 5-7 lbs.

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good! This is the magic season, the second trimester. I sometimes feel something like growing pains, but that's nothing serious.

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific. I'm getting bored with my diet though. I long for the days of not having to watch every dang thing I put in my mouth! Johnathan works all day on Sunday's so I try to use those days to indulge in random cravings (within diabetic reason).

Sleep: It's not perfect, but it could be worse. I wake up a couple times a night to pee, but can usually fall back asleep quickly...unless Johnathan is snoring.

I am loving: Being able to feel her move and kick. It brings such a peace of mind.

I miss: not counting carbs.

I am looking forward to: all of the holidays coming up! I couldn't have planned this pregnancy better! The last bit is always so slow because all you're looking forward to is the baby arriving. Well lucky me! I have things to look forward to before she comes. We're so busy that Johnathan suggested we buy a calendar. One with babies, puppies, and firemen

I'm spazzing about: my fasting blood sugar...just a little

Best thing about this week: getting to see our little girl again in the ultrasound

Milestones: I suppose the fact that we reached double digits in the days to go countdown

Movement: Yes, happening pretty frequently! Johnathan even gets to catch her sometimes.

It's a...: girl!

Exercise: Eh. I wasn't really doing much before the pregnancy so I didn't want to stress the bod. I walk Jericho up the street 3 times a day. That seems to do the trick.

Heart Burn: A little. Nothing a little Tums can't handle

Belly button in or out?: In….barely! Each week my innie is getting smaller and smaller.

Labor signs?: Nope. Just the way I want it!