36 Weeks

Another week down - only 3 weeks and 1 day to go!

Today I had my 36 week OB appointment. Here are the stats, in case you're interested:

My BP: 116/67

My Weight: 127! Yep, that's another pound! This brings my total weight gain so far in this pregnancy up to a whopping 14 pounds. If I stay on the pound a week schedule, I should hit 17 pounds total weight gain by the end. I'm hoping this just means it'll be easier to lose the weight afterwards since there won't be that much to lose, but we will see.

Fundal Height: 37 centimeters - still on target.

Still spilling protein in my urine. Hello again, Augmentin - nice to see you, I guess. The good part was that the nurse who dipped my urine advocated on my behalf to the doctor to just go ahead and write the prescription instead of sending it off to lab, which would cost us about $80. I'm thankful for her initiative.

Hudson's Heartrate: 150

In other fun news, I got tested for Group Strep B today. Which I'm not really sure I needed to be tested for since we're having a planned C-Section, but I was unable to talk them out of that. I'm learning to ask questions such as, "What's that for?" when they do a procedure. Last week we got a $150 bill from a lab for STD testing! Apparently the last cervical exam back in February was a swab for STDs. I so would have fought that - you see, when you follow God's plan and save yourself for marriage you just don't have to worry about STDs so I'm annoyed that we have to pay for a test that was really a waste. But alas, nothing to do about it now. Plus, I did learn that some of those STD testings are state mandated so my fight would probably have been in vain anyway. But still, I'm asking questions from now on.

In more fun news, they checked me today to see if I have dialated. Nothing so far - which is good news to me.

Hudson's running out of room in my belly and isn't kicking and punching as much as before, but definitely doing more flipping and stretching. Nearly daily he switches between being transverse (sideways) and head-down. This picture above is evidence of his love of stretching. If you notice the big bump on the right side, that'd be his butt...or head, I don't know.  He likes to push out on both sides like that quite frequently. He even wakes me up at night stretching so. Perhaps he's trying to make more room for himself, or he's just bored. I try to rub him back in, but he's getting more stubborn and just keeps sticking it out there - haha.

22 Days dear son and you'll have freedom to stretch to your little heart's content.

35 Weeks

Pardon these poor pictures.

They are pretty bad - bad lighting, bad hair (oh geez look at that frizz), tired face ... oh well.

I am now 35 weeks along!

Holding the shirt in gives a better picture of just how big Mr. Hudson is getting!

This week, I had two doctor appointments - the OB and Dr. V, my endocrinologist.

Here are the stats from those appointments:

My BP: 109/64 - kinda low I thought but they were all happy.

My Weight: 126 - yahoo! For those keeping track I haven't gained any weight in over 6 weeks.  I am so happy to have put on a pound.  Though Hudson keeps measuring on time, I was worried since I wasn't gaining, but finally all that eating has paid off - haha.

My Thyroid: 1.24 - just about perfect.  I get to skip seeing Dr. V until 2 months after Hudson is born - yahoo!

Fundal Height: 36 - right on target.

Hudson's Heart Rate: 140-something - the doc didn't give exact measurements but listened to his sweet heartbeat for over a minute and said it was nice, strong, and steady!  Love his little heart.

This week also marks my last week working.  My maternity leave begins Monday.  There were many tears this afternoon when I explained it to my sweet second graders.  I cried, then they cried, and I cried more - it was ugly.  I am so going to miss them.  Granted, there are only 18 school days left, but I already feel weird that I won't be there.  I've never not worked since college - seriously, the longest I've ever went without working was one month two summers ago and I spent that whole time working to find a part-time summer job.

Praises this Week: the sweet servants of the Lord I work with at PCS.  Hudson's C-Section date is literally the day after the last day of school.  I knew it wouldn't be wise to try to finish the school year and then give birth the next day.  When I began contemplating when to take my maternity leave, I calculated that I had enough personal/sick time to miss the last two weeks (9 days) of school.  I was happy with that.  But my sweet co-workers took it upon themselves to voluntarily donate their personal days to me making today my last work day - that's a full 18 days off!  Such sacrifical love doesn't exist outside the body of Christ.  I am overwhelmed by their generosity in blessing me so. 



Brothers from another Mother

I'm not the only one at the Lackey house that is having a baby. 

Meet our four newest additions - baby robins.  I've been calling them Hudson's brothers and say they are boys since 90% of the pregnant mamas I know are having boys. 

There's also a swallow nest not far from this one, but they've nested in an old ceramic pot and I can't really see into it let alone get a good picture.  Plus, Mama Robin came back squaking at me for getting too close, so I decided to get off the deck before Mama Swallow came home and got angry too.  Can't say I blame them for wanting to protect their babies.  I'll probably do the same thing :)

34 Weeks

 Here I am in all my 34-week glory.  I had to change shirts twice this morning to find one long enough to cover said baby bump (all my XL-men's tanks are in the laundry to wash)

Today was my 34 week appointment with the OB.  Here are the stats:

My BP: 118/64
My weight: still 125 - I promise I'm eating - just not gaining any.
Hudson's heart rate: 150-something
Fundal Height - 34, right on target!  Again, this is the reason they aren't concerned that I'm not packing on the pounds.

I'm now on the weekly rotation and have an OB appointment every Thursday from now until the day before Hudson's delivery.  Yahoo.

Weird News:  While the doc was pushing on my belly feeling Hudson she said, "Oh you just had a little contraction."  I was totally surprised as I felt nothing.  She said this was normal ...

Best News: NO PROTEIN in my urine!  Granted, I am now on antibiotics so this is expected.  Dr. B, my urologist has me on a prophalactic antibiotic to prevent UTIs but I had to stop taking it at the beginning of the 3rd trimester because it can cause liver damage to the baby.  So Sunday, after my week of uncomfortableness, I began having UTI symptoms - no fun.  Monday, I went to the doctor and sure enough, I had an UTI.  I've been on a different antibiotic since then.  The symptoms are gone and I'm feeling pretty decent.

Side Note:  I do want to brag on my urologist, Dr. B.  I actually went to the OB Monday for the UTI simply because their office could get me in before Dr. B and when in pain, I'm pretty impatient.  Well this evening guess who called me?  Dr. B himself.  He just wanted to let me know that he had gotten their fax about the urine culture and wanted to see how I was feeling, etc...  This is the same doctor who called me on Christmas Day to see if I was doing alright.  Seriously people, if you ever need an urologist, I 100% recommend him.

And because I couldn't resist, here's a bare belly shot. 

Praises from this week:

1) Antibiotics - they are my friend.

2) The Lord's kindness - Though my sleep isn't what it once was and I'm guessing it never will be (haha) the Lord has been so kind this week to allow me to get some decent sleep so I'm not so very emotional.

3) My sweet little students - I came back to work Wednesday to find a big note on my desk from the students.  (I should have took a picture, but didn't sorry)  It featured a baby on it and the words "Mrs. Lackey - you're almost there!"  How sweet!  Apparently I have a whole class of Barnabuses.  Or would that be Barnabi? :)

34 days left

Light & Momentary Troubles

The 3rd trimester, which started out fine about 5 weeks ago, has proved to not be my friend.  I feel weak.  Who am I kidding?  I am weak.  I am weakened by the lack of sleep, frequent trips to the restroom, rather intense pelvic pain, and all too often back pain.  To top it off, this physical weakness has caused me to have very little control over my emotions (sorry dear husband) as I literally will cry at the drop of a hat.

I have just under 6 weeks left until Hudson's born and honestly, I'm doubting my ability to stick it out.  Granted, I have no choice (haha) but if my belly had a zipper I'd totally get him out of there for a few hours of restful sleep.

Today at church, several Moms empathized; giving hugs and reminding me that it'll all be worth it once Hudson's here.  I know that; it's just hard to remember that when he stretches so hard that I feel like I'm about lose my bladder in my seat yet can't get up because he's simultaneously pressing on my ribs causing me to lose my breath.  I keep telling him that Life Lesson #1 is to not make life difficult for Mommy, but he's not listening just yet.

Fortunately the Lord is good.  Today he encouraged me with the words of 2 Corinthians 4 specifically verses 16-18 which read:

     Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly
     we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving
     for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So let us fix our eyes not on what is
     seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.

Now, Paul's talking about persevering through persecution, which isn't my situation at all.  My situation is simply the result of the fall of man - thank you very much Mrs. Eve.  However, I am encouraged for many reasons.

1)  It is all temporary.  In about 5 weeks, Lord willing, I will be in love with my little son completely forgetting the discomfort and pain leading up to his birth. 
2)  The solution to my pain is to fix my eyes on what is unseen - Jesus.  Focusing on Jesus is the best distraction to my pain and provides the only true relief and ability to endure.
3)  The Lord promises renewal.  This, I so desperately need. Not simply physical renewal (though that would totally be welcomed right about now) but emotional and spiritual renewal.  I need strength from him, endurance to persevere, and the power of the Holy Spirit to help me restrain the tears and emotional breakdowns. 

So please join me in prayer for these things. 

PCS Shower

Thursday after school, the sweet teachers/parents hosted a Baby Shower for Hudson and me. It was so much fun. Check out these amazing pictures courtesy of Angie, one of my former student's parents who just happens to be an awesome photographer here in Louisville.

Me with Mrs. B, Mrs. G, and Mrs. M - we have a lot of fun working together.

The gift table - everyone was so very generous.  We got most of the big items on our registry and so many useful and cute things.  I am overwhelmed with everyone's generosity, it literally took both James and my cars to get everything home.  Hudson is one blessed little boy!

A crowd shot before I arrived.  Many more where there throughout.

Gift time!

Some of the girls from my class this year - aren't they cute?

This would be the back of my "Prenatal Stroller."  Yes, it's a wheelchair.  Hudson's been making me quite uncomfortable recently so Mrs. G and her 6th graders took it upon themselves to decorate it for me to use if needed.  It did come in handy today at recess to sit in rather than stand or sit on the concrete steps, which makes my back hurt.  Honestly, I wasn't too happy about it.  Conversations about my pride then ensued.  I wasn't too happy about those either.  Sigh.

James adores AD and AD adores James. 

I work with silly people.

33 Weeks

Man, I'm looking a bit rough.

This week has been brought to you by the letter U for Uncomfortable. That's definitely the adjective of choice for describing how I've felt lately. Everyone tells you how uncomfortable the end of pregnancy can be, but I don't think you really understand until you're there. Aside from no sleep, my back and hips have been hurting quite a bit lately.

Monday night, I shed my first pity tears. Now, I've cried a lot during this pregnancy: tears of joy, fear, frustration, repentance, and thankfulness. But Monday, I was in pain. It was not pleasant to say the least. Thankfully, the Lord is kind and answered my prayer for renewed strength as Tuesday I felt much better.

The sweet teachers and principal at my school have been so kind and thoughtful to do what they can to make teaching easier for me. Mrs. G spearheaded a campaign to organize other teachers to take my students to and from specials, particularly the ones that involve walking across the parking lot to the other side of our campus, so I can conserve my energy and strength. I am so thankful to work at a place where people have the Lord's servant-hearts and truly try to help out in times of weakness. It's a wonderful picture of how the body of Christ should work. Tomorrow, they are hosting a baby shower at my school for which I'm excited to see parents I don't often get to see on a regular basis.

Though it's been a rough week, physically, it's also been a great week. My students have been really sweet. Today sweet AD said, "Mrs. Lackey I think your baby is moving - I see your shirt moving." Sure enough, he was tossing around so each child took a turn pushing on him and feeling him move. Then they asked the strangest question: "Mrs. Lackey, what do you want Hudson to be when he grows up?" I thought this was strange as I don't anticipate 2nd graders are thinking of the future, but it lead to a great discussion on using one's talents to serve the Lord and others. The boys, in particular, have been very chivalrous lately. Today, one student brought Hudson a gift as she can't come to tomorrow's shower and sweet NC just took it from me without asking as I was carrying it down the hallway during dismissal and carried it for me. Though it wasn't heavy, I let him and was thankful for his servant-heart.

So though this week hasn't started out as much fun, the Lord is faithful to reveal his goodness to me inspite of difficulties. I praise him for his work in my life and reminding me that I have not been abandoned, even when days are hard.

The Lord is with you,

He is mighty to save.

Zephaniah 3:17