Long time...all is well

OK, I've gone nearly 2 months with nothing to say.  Bad me, as I like looking back at this blog.  But I guess honestly, there's just been not much to say.  Baby is doing well, I am not working out much (some walks, some water running, some TRX at least until they changed the schedule and took out any classes for working people...yeah, they got a piece of my mind on that one...), school started, blah blah blah.

I did go lift today.  Warmed up (walked .1, ran .1 for a mile), then started with kettlebell squats (not sure exactly what the move is called).  OUCH.  My inner thighs were not happy.  I need to get back into lifting so that I am actually able to push this baby out!!

My ankle has been fine despite no NSAIDs anymore.  My neck, on the other hand, is a mess.  Sleeping at night is no longer interrupted by peeing, but rather by turning over in my sleep and waking up in severe pain.  It's not like the flares I've had, but the right side of my cervical spine is a mess.  Starting physical therapy Monday to see what it can do...can't hurt.  The pain isn't debilitating or anything, but it's annoying.  I can't turn my head much, so backing up while driving is tough.  Sudden turns of the head when I forget really smart.  And the whole sleep thing.

Maybe I'll check in again before I give birth.  Oh, and I'm too lazy to take a belly picture (sorry, kid) but it looks approximately 8 months pregnant compared to me last time and approximately 5 months pregnant compared to a normal person.  I'm 6.5, for the record (28 weeks).

Subtalar joint

I need to make another appointment with the foot and ankle doctor, but I am kind of wondering what they could even do while I'm pregnant? No x-rays.  Maybe a cortisone injection.  At any rate, my pain is not (or at least is no longer) in my talonavicular joint, it's now clearly (after lots of google image searches, haha) the subtalar joint.  It will be FINE enough for me to run (the tiny bit I still do) or walk, but then randomly if I sit, or sometimes when I sleep, the pain starts and it HURTS.  I just today went off the Voltaren (causes heart problems if taken in the third trimester, so at almost 21 weeks I want to be off of it) so am kind of worried it will get worse, but it's such a random pain. Not related to using it, more related to rest...almost like it just gets itself into a weird position and then if I force myself to walk around on it (can't do full weight bearing, but I hold onto furniture or the wall) it usually will work itself out in a few minutes.  So, different from all my other RA pain.  But that's the way it is.

The same...

Rereading July 2008.  I am about a week ahead of last pregnancy.  Rereading it a blast...turns out BOTH girls were uncooperative at the first anatomy scans, both curled up into tight little balls and wouldn't move.  Felt movement with both around 17 weeks.  I said the kicks got stronger at almost 20 weeks, which would put me at around this coming weekend...we'll see!  Friday I get anatomy scan round 2...

One difference is the working out.  I was still doing 2-a-days and running (at a pace I would now consider "fast!").  Ha ha.  Well, at least the weight gain is similar...I am maybe a pound over (6 total, versus 5 at 19 weeks).  I just don't get hungry during pregnancy.  No snacking, tiny meals.  Whatever, I will pack it on while nursing.  I hate that everyone says nursing makes you lose weight.  Maybe if you gain a lot, but not for me! 

Another girl!!

So after a downs scare Monday, I had an amniocentesis and got the results back Wednesday. Healthy. Girl. Yay & yay!! Started going through the old clothes and so happy I can reside them. Since I am due on Andra's birthday, the seasons are all the same.

Belly

A few pictures. Not keeping track of things like I did last time. First two pictures are at 15 weeks...one with a maternity shirt (that I did NOT buy) and second with a normal shirt. Last picture must have been 16 weeks. I definitely do look pregnant, way more so than last time.

Athletes with RA

There's a new facebook group that Wendy started...Athletes Beating RA.  Lots of like-minded people out there, who knew?  I guess if you're reading this and want to join, just search for it?

With this week off (and a few more to go before school starts up again) I've done hour+ workouts every day.  I feel great. 

Holy Moly I forgot...

How much fun it is to shop for cloth diapers.

Trying to hold off til we know the sex (July 11!) but it's so hard.

All good

Had NT scan and bloodwork, all the numbers came back better than the age-related risks so no need to ponder a CVS or amnio.  Anatomy scan will be July 11.  Gut says it's another girl...maybe just wishful thinking since I have all the stuff and all the clothes in the right seasons??

Have been walking a lot this week...no real desire to run.  I figure, if my ankle feels good enough again to walk, why risk even that by running right now?  Especially since there's no reason to run...I am out of shape, pregnant, no plans or goals...so walking is fun and low stress and just enough right now.

Belly 11 weeks 3 days

So maybe I am not fat as I feel and I don't really look pregnant yet. Funny that seeing from the camera's perspective is so different.

My ankle has been bad the past few days. Very swollen. No running, no walking. This could be a swimming and lifting summer (thinking no cycling too since I am not in shape and the belly eventually will grow...though I made it til August or Sept last time).

There is a head

Not much going on lately. Work, tutor, hang out with Andra, go to sleep when I put her to bed. Repeat. Occasional work outs... Three a week is a good week. This week isn't one of them. Ankle acting up again, like the disease is active in it again. Not sure if it's here for a while or not.

Had ultrasound today, 11 weeks. Squirmy little thing with a head. All looked good.

Still exhausted

So I walked for 40 minutes today instead of taking a nap. It was a good idea until about 2 hours later. I need that nap. Plus my legs are exhausted, not sore but exhausted. Ugh. 9 weeks. I don't remember feeling this tired but at the same time last time I could take a nap anytime I wanted after school. Not so much anymore. Still on progesterone shots... Tonight probably the last one as I just waiting for blood test results. Then I guess I am just a normal pregnant lady.

One craving

So I don't feel so fat anymore...I think I'm back to looking normal.  Still tired but today wasn't as bad.  Ate pretty healthily today which might help.  I am finding that I actually have a craving this time...JUICE.  It's all I want.  The sweetness, plus the fact that I'm so darn thirsty ALL THE TIME.  Actually ran on Sunday.  Well, ran/walked.  But it's more cardio than I've done in a while.  I promise myself to go back to working out when school ends...7 more weeks. 

Still beating

Seven weeks today, another ultrasound but this time at my OB's office.  Everything looks good.  I have been exhausted, hungry, thirsty, a super salivater (like I'm going to spit all over my students when I'm lecturing) and I feel less fat and more like I am already looking pregnant.  It's not just  my lower belly, it's the whole round thing from the boobs down.  Whatever...I just wish I had more time (as in less tutoring), more energy, and more WORKING OUT.  This is 100% different from last time...oh well.  I can't live in the past.  It will all get better....

Fat

6 weeks 1 day. Today was the first day of hunger/nausea (not bad just noticeable). I know I started this pregnancy not in good shape (compared to marathon PR shape last time) and it's pregnancy number two and I had a couple (3?) pounds on my starting weight from last time (149 vs 146 but more fat this time) but I did t expect to look like this so soon. And feel like this. I posted a pic at 15 weeks last time and I think I look worse now. I hope it doesn't continue. I feel like I have stronger abs this time but more fat on top of them. I know I hated the fat but not pregnant looking phase last time but it's so early andover last longer this time. Argh.

Heartbeat!

1400

Levels doing what they're supposed to do. Ultrasound Monday at 5w5d.

214

So more than doubled. That's good. More bloodwork Wednesday then ultrasound Monday the 16th. Almost 6 weeks then but probably too early for heartbeat.... That'll be nerve wracking.

87.5

Positive. 87.5, they said anything over 50 is good and it doesn't seem high enough to be twins.

I'm still not allowed to relax though, huh?

I can say this now, though. I KNEW this one worked.

(Thanks for the comments, RunningMama and Nitsirk...)

16 hours

Not quite so patient any more. I can't full out admit it, but I am really hopeful. Which means if I'm wrong, it's going to be worse than last time. When I wasn't hopeful, but still hung on to a thread of a chance. Tonight I've been reading infertility blogs, all sorts. It just helps, reading how others get through and what they feel and knowing it sucks but I'm normal.

I'm driving back to the satellite clinic tomorrow, where I did most of my monitoring, rather than into Manhattan. I won't pee on a stick...I consciously didn't buy any when I went to Target today. This has been my mantra all cycle, something I found on Pinterest:



16 more hours til they call.

Patiently

Waiting. Test Wednesday. No spotting like last time. Hopeful...