34 weeks and 2 days...06.02.08...

Doctor’s Appointment Stats:
Measured at 35 weeks
Her heart rate was 150 beats per minute
My BP was 112/70

Everything looking good and I’m back there in 2 weeks for a progress check and then the ultrasound is a week after that! Ashleigh is still getting the hiccups about 4 times a day and I’m pooped. Ready for the baking to be done! I think the weatherman lies and it’s really 124 degrees outside. Clint thinks the house is freezing but I’m burning up. Hmmm…perhaps it’s me. No. The weekend just wasn’t long enough and I’m convinced the work week is too long. I can’t get enough R&R, that’s for sure. Anything that doesn’t involve me sitting in a cushioned chair with something icy to drink doesn’t sound like fun. I prefer it to be in a pedicure chair with a petite Asian man massaging my feet but the budget only allows for that to happen once every two weeks. Maybe we could forfeit one of Clint’s cars and I could go everyday…did I just say that? I’m going to go back to pretending to work while really daydreaming about chocolate muffins from Little Rosies.

June is closing in on us....05.22.08

Went to the doctors' office Tuesday for my 32 week check up. Everything is good. Heart rate was 148 beats per minute. I'm carrying her all on my right side but apparently this is a normal thing. Something to do with where the arteries of the heart are located. I go back at 34, 36 and 37 weeks. Got my appointments made and I'm excited about the ultrasound on the 25th of June. Maybe we'll be planning Miss Ashleigh's birthday at that time!!!

05.16.08...A weekend of festivities...

I'm excited. My two showers are this weekend. Clint and I have been getting everything ready for months now and it's so exciting that the time is finally here. 32 weeks along. No sleep, can't get comfortable to save my life, trouble breathing, clothes not fitting (again!), getting kicked in the ribs and I'm thankful for every bit of it. Funny how things are so hard but they are so worth it. My little girl is healthy in there. The last doctor appointment (05.06.08) went well so what is there really to complain about. Yes, I'm ready for it to be over, don't get me wrong. Dr. Rushing said he'd measure her size/weight at 37 weeks to see if she is going to be big like her mama was. If so, she could be here early via induction. As long as she is ready I'm all for that. June baby sounds fine with me. Go back to the doctor next week (week 32) and then two weeks later (week 34) and then they check me at week 36. Rachel is wanting this week to be the birthday week so they can share. There is a full moon on the 18th, so we'll see if any of those old wives' tales hold any water.

04.18.08...Such a wonderful day...

March madness...

Not too mad. But there is madness nonetheless. Our house is in complete disarray. With all the painting, trim designing, hardwood floor laying nothing seems to be in order. It's something all time and hopefully it will be complete within the next 4 decades. I had a doctor's appointment on the 12th and everything checked out fine. Her heart rate was 146 and my blood pressure was 104/70. Both Rowe girls are healthy and kicking. Ok, speaking of kicking!! I don't remember enrolling Miss Ashleigh into a karate class but apparently I did. She practices her routines was great perfection and determination. Last Friday (3/15) Clint felt her kick for the first time. He was in total amazement of that action. He talks to her. Last night he was feeling her kick and put his head on my stomach. She kicked him right in the ear. It was hysterical. Less than one month until the 4D ultrasound. I can't wait to see her again. I live for those big appointments.

Apparently the whole week to month ratio confuses not only me but everyone else. So here's a chart I found to help out with any questions....

Also, I'm 24 weeks on the 22nd just in case you needed a refresher!!

I caught it...02.23-24.08

Yes. I was one of the lucky ones. Got the dreaded stomach bug which leaves you re-looking at foods and indulgences you previously enjoyed. Good grief is all I can say. After 18 hours of this horrible show that took place and Zofran couldn't touch Clint took me to the hospital. We spent 5.5 hours of our Sunday in Labor & Delivery. After getting hooked up to fluids I immediately felt like a better human. I got some more powerful drugs, too. The nurse was wonderful and Clint was grateful it was coming to a close. It was one rough weekend that I never wish to relive.

It's a...cord...02.12.08

We were early, very early to our appointment. Eager to find out what "it" is. Luckly the nurse cooperated with our overexcitement and called us back early. The baby was super active. Wouldn't stay still. She did the measurements. Then looked for the deciding factor, or lack thereof. Nope, couldn't tell. Cord was neatly between the legs. Ok, heartbeat, calm down, we'll find out. Check some other things. Liver? Check. 4-chambered heart? Check. Whew. All other things. Check, check and check. Look down there again. Nope. Not telling. She prepared us that we may not be finding out. Then wait...oh there it ISN'T. A GIRL!!!!!!! Clint immediately turned into protective, proud Daddy of a baby girl. The expression of love that came across his face was something that I can't even begin to explain in text. I fell in love with him, with my little girl, with our family of three.

Good bye January....

With New Year's, work travels, doctor appointments and volunteer group meetings this month has slipped by without my notice. We had a baby appointment on the 10th which told us the heart rate was 155. I immediately inquired whether it was normal to have a change. He assured we that is was indeed normal and what they actually looked for. Overall good appointment. The next will be in February. Gender revealing and the second round of genetic bloodwork will all be performed at this vistit. Today (01.29.08) as I write I'm 16 weeks and 3 days along. I'm so much better these days with my new found friend, Zofran. Who knew a little white, horrible tasting pill could make you enjoy the mornings again? I no longer dread getting out of bed, brushing my teeth, making a scene in our front yard. The point at which I realized I needed drug intervention came the Friday night I decorated our driveway. I left Clint out there gagging and hosing it off. Enough was enough. In less than a week I've been healed by the grace of Zofran and will never attempt to go it alone again. Come to find out these little pills are $20 PER pill. My goodness. Thank God for BC/BS that the City of Huntsville provides...I don't pay a dime. Funny thing though. Knowing how well they work I'd find a way too if I had to. Two weeks from today is our next appointment, THE appointment. If the little bean cooperates then we will know what IT is. Oh the day I don't have to refer to it as "it". I've been polling some friends and family on what they think it is. It's spilt but swaying one way for sure. Next post will hopefully have pictures showing what "it" is working with!!

The month of December.....

Wow. Times flies when you are going to the doctor, traveling, Christmas shopping yet maintaining to live your "normal" life. In the month of December we had Christmas get-togethers with friends, birthdays, a cruise to Mexico, our second doctors appointment, family holiday functions, Bama bowl game and New Years eve festivities. Since this is the baby's blog I guess I'll fill you in on that appointment. I went in and did the routine stuff. Lost one pound, no performance anxiety on the urine test sample and then heard the heartbeat. The rate was 168 beats per minute. All the old wives' tale believers say this would predict a girl. All the Chinese gender charts say boy. So, I'll continue with the purchasing of yellow until February. Clint and I think, for this month at least, that we know the names for whatever it might be. Perfect little bean monikers. Morning sickness found me and really wants to be my best friend. I try to ignore him and that doesn't work. After the display I made in my front yard (12/31) I'm sure the neighbors think I either have a severe drinking problem or have figured out why our cars rarely leave the driveway on the weekends anymore. Everyone said it would get better by week 12 or 13. They lied to me. The headaches are more frequent and I think my stomach is really wanting to live on the outside of my body.

The undecorated, unfurnished nursery is already taking on the life of a baby room despite the big purchases to prove so. We have diapers (Swaddlers - all the friends recommend them), wipes (Pampers sensitive and Kirkland unscented), blankets, books, a piggy bank, onesies and other little randoms. We are going to get furniture as soon as we can. I already can visualize exactly what I want! Surprised?