Ultrasound Appointment

This appointment went so well.  Got to see our little Cayden today.  He is weighing right at 3 pounds and estimated arrival is January 30.  Heart rate was 141bpm.  But the most exciting news was finding out he is no longer breech.  Cayden is head down, feet kicking the left part of my abdomen, and his booty is resting on the right part of my abdomen.  

My heart was filled with so much joy after leaving today's appointment.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Jones Party of 4

*My baby sis, Jasmine, said Cayden's profile looks like his father's!  What do you think?????  Me or Thomas?  Who will he look like the most??  Ready, set, go! 

Failed Glucose Tolerance Test

Failed Glucose Tolerance Test

Yes, I failed my glucose tolerance test.  Am I upset? NO!  Our pregnancy has gone very well thus far, so there is no need to "freak" out now.  I just have to follow my doctors orders, re-take the test on Thursday morning and roll with it.  Life & this pregnancy does not stop here.  I just thank God I have a support system that doesn't badger me for eating a piece of chocolate cake or a Dr. Pepper.  So stay tuned for updates!

How is the screening test done?

When you arrive for the test, you'll be given a sugar solution that contains 50 grams of glucose. The stuff tastes like a very sweet soda pop (it comes in cola, orange, or lime flavor), and you have to get all of it down in five minutes. Some centers keep it chilled or let you pour it over ice and drink it cold.

An hour later (bring a book or magazine!), your practitioner or a technician will take a blood sample from your arm to check your blood sugar level. The idea is to see how efficiently your body processes sugar. The results should be available in a few days.

If the reading is too high, which happens 15 to 23 percent of the time, your practitioner will have you come back for a three-hour glucose tolerance test to see whether you really do have gestational diabetes. The good news is that most women whose screening test shows elevated blood sugar don't turn out to have gestational diabetes.

 Jones Party of 4

29 Weeks

29 Weeks

Cayden now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (about the size of an acorn squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, I need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, I have to be sure to drink milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in Cayden's hardening skeleton each day.

This Week's Activity:

Run some vital errands now. Here are some things you'll need in the first few weeks, when it's almost impossible to go shopping:

• Diapers and wipes
• Baby care items such as nail clippers, a thermometer, a bulb syringe, and a pacifier
• Baby-friendly laundry detergent
• Sanitary pads for you (You'll bleed for a few weeks after delivery.)
• Thank-you cards and stamps
• Paper towels and paper plates for easy cleanup after meals

We are scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow at 1:30pm.  So stay tuned for updates.

Love you!

Jones Party of 4

28 Weeks Pregnant.........2 Trimesters Down 1 to Go!!!!!!

We are starting our Week 28 today!!!!!  That means we have officially started our third trimester.

Cayden is the size of an eggplant.  Weighing an average of 2.5 pounds and about 16 inches long.

Here is Cayden's letter to his father this week:

Hey Dad!

This week mom is 28 weeks pregnant, in the LAST trimester (3^rd), and I am settling into the proper position for birth.  Well, my head is supposed to be facing downward.  We will see next week at the ultrasound appointment.  I am now about 2.5 pounds and around 16 inches long.  It’s getting crowded in here.  I’ve been busy adding new skills such as blinking (last week I opened my eyes for the first time).  I’m also able to cough, suck on my fingers, hiccup, and even practice taking breaths.  My sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase.  This means I can start dreaming at this point.

While settling into the right position, mom is having some pains and the weight of her uterus causes even more pressure.  It could possibly be sitting on her sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower part of her back, buttocks, and legs.  It causes sharp, shooting pains and/or tingling or numbness in these areas.  The best way for her to get relief is to take it easy.  

Thank you for taking care of us both.  I love you!

Cayden

I've also included this week's video:  

Video: Your Pregnancy Week 28

Stay tuned for more updates and pictures from the baby shower held on Sunday, 3 November 2013.  We have a prenatal check up scheduled tomorrow.  I'm pretty excited about that as well.

Team Jones Party of 4

27 Weeks Completed

Hey Family and Friends!

I've decided to start counting starting weeks instead of completed weeks.  This is helping me understand my body a little more with pregnancy.

This weeks Cayden is the size of a rutabaga. 

Recap of Week 27

For a baby, it's time to trade in the old crown-to-rump measurement for a new head-to-toe standard. So what are your baby’s stats this week (which, coincidentally, is the end of the second trimester)? Fifteen inches — more than a foot long — and triple (or even quadruple) what it was in week 12. His weight is creeping up the charts as well, coming in at just over two pounds. More big news: Your baby may recognize your voice by now, so feel free to serenade your belly (start learning those lullabies!).

Your Body in Week 27 of Pregnancy

Puffy? That's to be expected — about 75 percent of soon-to-be moms experience edema (mild swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles) around this point in pregnancy. That's because fluids build up in your body tissues thanks (or no thanks) to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on the vena cava (the large vein that cycles blood from your lower limbs to your heart). So while you may have a hard time squeezing into shoes or getting your rings on (or off), keep in mind that the puff factor is completely normal and temporary.

Mississippi Baby Shower Pictures

YES, I started crying!!!!!!