34 weeks...

I can't believe it, we are at 34 weeks! Amazing! Here's a photo of me earlier this week at 33 weeks. Some days, I feel like I haven't changed, others I feel huge. I think we can go with huge in this photo...


We've had some difficult news this week. Seems like diet has not been able to manage my gestational diabetes, so I've been put on medication (low dose, mornings only). But, since I am on medication, this means weekly ultrasounds to check on the baby's size, and that I will probably have to be induced before my due date. There are other risks, including high chance of stillborn, bigger baby, etc.

It has been difficult for us to deal with this. Seems like soo much has been out of our control with this pregnancy. I know that it will prepare us for our child, and in a few weeks, I will be holding him or her and it will be all worth it. Just hard to see that at this time.

So, just keep us in your prayers. I am hoping that perhaps with increased healthy eating and exercise I can stop taking the medication, and we can try to proceed as naturally as possible. But, if not, we will continue on. May not be my "ideal" pregnancy or birth, but what really is?

Majella Society dinner

Last month, Ry and I attended the Majella Society 4th Annual Benefit Dinner. We had a great time at the table of our good friends, the Gretencords. I think we had the most pro-baby table at the dinner!

Sharon and Adam (parents to 4, most recently Gianna, born September 07)


Mike and Mary (parents of 2, grandparents to 5)


Shana and James (parents of Thomas, born December 07)


Rowena and Dustin (baby due end of May)


And us (due mid June)


And a few pregnant momma photos!

Me and Nicole (who had her daughter Caroline on Monday! Yea!)


And lastly a cute momma photo of Rowena and me! What a great event! Thanks Sharon and Adam for inviting us!

Happy Anniversary!!

Wow! Today is our 6th wedding anniversary! Amazing!! It was about this time that we were getting to the church, doing some photos, and getting ready for the vows. Today we went to that same church, our parish, St. Albert the Great, and our pastor gave us an anniversary blessing. How wonderful!

We sure have had a great few years! We've been able to travel, bought a house, and brought 4 souls into this world. Thank you Ryan for being my partner through all this. You are my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without you! I am a better person with you. Can't wait to go celebrate tonight at the place you proposed to me, Green Pastures.

I was going to post some photos from the wedding, but that's a sore subject...a different photographer showed up at the wedding, ran out of film, did a poor job...

So, here is my favorite from our honeymoon - a week in Kauai, Hawaii! It was amazing!!

my last day...

Today is it, my last day of work. I thought it would be interesting to chronicle my work experience, since this afternoon I become a full-time mom...

Following college, I worked for almost 2 years in Houston as a software installer at Universal Computer Systems (now called Reynolds and Reynolds).

Then I moved to Austin, without a job, hoping that the tech boom would make it easy for me. Within a couple weeks, I found a job working as the administrative assistant, with the Office of Youth Ministry with the Diocese of Austin. Over the next 4 years, we would also take on Young Adult and Campus Ministry.

Then I worked in the office at our parish, St. Albert the Great. I scheduled wedding and baptisms, and did general office work. It was great meeting more members of the parish.

And then I left there, in December of 2006, to become the Director of Community Development at Texas Alliance for Life. It has been a different job for me, but lots of what I love (event planning, working with volunteers, etc.). The organization has had a tremendous amount of growth in the past 2 years, and I am happy to be a part of it. The amazing thing is that I only worked there 20 hours a week, and was able to get soo much done. I'm soo thankful for a husband who allows me to work for the great non-profits that I have been associated with.

This week, they had a nice good-bye lunch for me at la Madeleine. And surprised me with a few gifts for our little pumpkin too! I'm really going to miss them! It has been a great time, with great friendships, learning and more! I hope to continue to stay active, and bring our little pumpkin along.

So, as of 2:30 pm today, I will be retired. Retired from my "regular" jobs, in order to prepare me for my vocation as a mom. I'm excited about this new journey, and so very thankful!!

World's Largest Baby Shower

For those in the Austin area, come join us next weekend for the World Largest Baby Shower with the Round Rock Express. It benefits a local pregnancy help center, Agape Pregnancy Resource Center. All you have to do is bring a new baby item, and you'll get a free ticket to the Friday, May 2nd game. What could be better!

See y'all at the ballpark!

31 at 31...

We here I am, 31 years old and 31 weeks pregnant! yea!

Had my appointment with my dietician today. We are doing well on the gestational diabetes diet, so no need for insulin at this point! yea! It has been easier to manage then I thought, especially with such a supportive and helpful husband!

We were able to have a tour of the hospital today too. The birthing rooms were great, but the post-birth rooms looked kinda small. May have to splurge and get a suite or mini suite. Hopefully they will finish the construction by the time pumpkin arrives...

Lastly had our doc appointment. I'm up 20 pounds with this pregnancy! yea! Everything else looks good. Now on to 2 week appointments...

Pumpkin's Dallas Baby Shower...

This past weekend, we had our first baby shower in Dallas! It was lots of fun! We did some traditional games, like "guess the chocolate bar in the diaper" and "clothespin game" - where you can't say baby, pregnancy or cute! Amy also make a cute bingo game (kinda like at our wedding shower). She also asked the guests to bring a pack of diapers or wipes, and they were entered into a drawing for a cute basket (and we got lots of diapers and wipes! yea!).

It was hosted by 3 great friends from my time in Aggieland, Traci, Amy, and Bernice.

Both grandmothers also made it to the party (my mom on the left, Ry's on the right). Amy was sweet to give them each a present - a grandmother's brag book!

Also had our token baby at the shower (hi Andrew).

And a few of us Aggies (check out those cool rings!).

And our token Longhorn. Thanks for being such a good sport Dawn.

We stayed the night with my friend Amy and her family. Here I am with her daughters Ashleigh and Michelle, our goddaughter. Thanks everyone for such a great weekend!! Pumpkin's room is getting nicely stocked!

got the GD...

Well, looks like it is confirmed that I have Gestational Diabetes. They test you for this around your 28th week of pregnancy.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. This is called hyperglycemia.

Luckily, my levels weren't too high, so it looks like I may be able to deal with this through diet. I do have to check my levels 4 times a day with this handy device.

As well as document what I eat, I have to eat 6 smaller meals (what my doc has been telling me all along), and limit my carbs. My wonderful husband is doing this with me - so hopefully we will both be healthier for the process. If this is what I need to do to have a healthy baby, I can do it!

We are also off to Big D this weekend for my first baby shower! Soooo excited to see my friends and family up there!

PS - Thanks for all the suggestions, comments and prayers! We really appreciate it!

High...

Looks like my glucose levels are high, so I probably have gestational diabetes. I am meeting with a counselor this week for management.

If you could say a little prayer for us, it would really mean a lot. I'm a little worried about it all...

Any advice, prayers, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

30 weeks...

TODAY!! Whoop!

Also, if you could say a little prayer for me and pumpkin tomorrow. I failed the glucose test, so we've been on a restricted diet these past 3 days, and go in for a 3 hour glucose test tomorrow. I don't really want to have gestational diabetes, but if that does happen, we want to do what is best for me and pumpkin. Will keep y'all (stalker and blog posters) updated!

My sweet husband...

Last night Ry was giving me a hug. Then he said "Family hug". So true, we were all there! What a sweet thing to say!

the nursery transformation...

Okay, well it started like this...


And then my painters (my sister and cousins) came for spring break (thanks Tessa, Monica, Allison and Corey)...


And we celebrated Easter by putting up the chair rail (all that hard work Justin)...


And the in-law's came and helped touch up the place...


And now it is home to the crib! Whoop!


Ry is still finishing the closet, so I'll post those when he is done. Then we will move the furniture back in. Planning to order the rocker/glider this week! So, check back for the final product!

my former roomie...

This past weekend I made a short jaunt to Aggieland - Whoop! I saw one of my former roomies, Mary (who married one of my other former roomies Rich). Well, Mary is expecting baby #3, little William! He will join his brothers Richie and Andrew. Only fitting that we should take a photo of our increasing tummies! And the crazy thing is, we are due just 3 weeks apart! How great! Happy gestating Mary! Can't wait for our little ones to meet!!

28 weeks!

Here I am at 28 weeks (already at 29 1/2 now). Ry and his parents (as well as my sister and cousins) have completely transformed Pumpkin's room. Photo progress to come!

What's in a name...

My friend Amber, who is coming to the end of her pregnancy, posted about names for her baby. She asked her readers to post how they got their names and/or decided on the names for their children. Was it after family, saints, or just liking the name? I thought it was a very interesting discussion so I'm challenging you, my loyal readers, to comment! And I know, I have some blog stalkers - y'all can post too!

Here is some background on my name:
As many of y'all may know, I was named Alexis Marie. The names they had thought of before going to the hospital was Clare (or Mark if I was a boy). I've been told I am no Clare. The only problem they had was my maternal grandparents lived in South America, where Alexis was a male name. They were not very happy that their first grandchild (and a girl) was named a "boy" name. Marie was after my mom Maria. I just loved my name, and loved having a good nickname too - Lexy.

I'll let Ry post on how he got his name! I look forward to reading your postings!!

Also, to keep everyone in suspense, we are not revealing the gender (since we don't know) or our names (since we still can't decide). We are taking suggestions...

off to the beach...

We are off for a few days a the beach! Ry was asking pumpkin this morning if he/she was ready for his first trip! Hopefully momma is - it is a long car ride! Should be fun also to see Charlie the dog interact with the ocean. Whoop - babymoon part 2 (or would it be 3...)

good news...

After 18 weeks of progesterone shots, it looks like I am *finally* in the correct range! No more shots!! Whoop! Good job pumpkin!!

it is funny...

When you are looking something up on the internet and find a photo of yourself...



More info at UT Non Profit Career Fair (you know, the other school!)

98 days...

Well, today is the day! 98 days to my due date from Dr. Love which is June 19 (although the 20 week ultrasound pushed it to June 23). I can't believe it has gone soo fast!! Today I move into my 3rd trimester. So much to get done!

This week we've had a house full of college girls. 3 of my cousins (Monica, Allison and Corey) and my sister Tessa have been here. They painted the baby's room and it is beautiful! I will totally think of them every time I go in the room.

AND My parents come in this weekend, so we will have fuller house this weekend! But the house is filled with love and laughter - it has been wonderful!

pregnancy musings...

This last week pumpkin has developed a new habit - waking me up at night. Sometime between 2-4 am I am woken by his/her kicking. I try to go back to sleep, but usually am awake at least an hour, up to 4 hours.

This has given me time to ponder my pregnancy. We have been wanting to expand our family for a few years now. And with 3 miscarriages, hormonal problems and chromosomal issues, it has been quite a roller coaster.

Due to that, it was hard for the first several weeks for me to actually believe I was pregnant. I didn't even start my pregnancy book until I was 14 weeks pregnant. Through all this time, though, I feel we have been soo loved and comforted. So many have lifted us up in prayer, I know that is why things have been going so well.

And things have. Yet, in the middle of the night you still wonder. Are we doing the right thing? Will I be a good mom? Will I be able to provide for my child? Can I be as good of a mom as my mom was for me?

And then I remember that I have a wonderful network - a super husband, wonderful family, friends, and those who lurk this blog :-)

But what if I didn't? What if I had no one? What if I had no supportive husband who makes dinner when I can't stand the smell of food? Or wonderful friends offering to throw me not one but two baby showers? How hard would this be? And so many women have to go through this each day.

So as I laid in bed last night, trying to go back to sleep, I grabbed Ry's hand. I knew everything would be just fine. We will do the best we can for all our children - that is what we have been doing and continue to do.

And when I get discouraged, I will offer it up for those women who do this alone. That they will be comforted by His love, and be given the strength to persevere.