Home

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Celebrating Baby Girl Groth

My sisters-in-law, Hilary and April, and mother-in-law, Subes, threw Baby Girl Groth and me an adorable and fun baby shower today.  It was so sweet with lots of pink and girly touches.

 Cupcakes by Ava, Emily and Sean.  Frosted by Hilary.


My shower hosts were so thoughtful of my gestational diabetes and I could eat EVERYTHING!!  We had soup, salad with chicken breasts, cheese and crackers and the cupcakes. 


Baby Girl Groth was beyond spoiled by so many generous people today.  I am quite touched that so many people were so excited to celebrate her impending arrival, even though she is Baby #2 for me.  Several guests drove from out of town just for the shower.

Adorbs clothes from my sister Doppleganger. 

Chandelier from her Gamma and Papa.

 Blanket by her Grandma Subes.

Those little black shoes were first her Auntie Hilary's shoes and then her cousin Ava's shoes:)  Sully was pretty excited that they "fit on his hands."

 Madeline book ends made by Grandma Subes.



The shower gang!



If possible, this shower made me even more excited and eager for this baby's arrival.  She is already so loved and that is pretty special.  She is a pretty lucky little girl.



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Final Countdown

I just ask that you read this blog post with the Europe song streaming in your head...

With just over 4 weeks until this baby girl's scheduled arrival, I feel like every free minute I have I am making final preparations and tending to the small details in anticipation for her.  I am slowly crossing off all the to-dos on my list.

I had my last ultrasound on Monday which revealed baby girl was already 6 lbs 4 oz!  That puts her growth right on par with her big brother at that gestation.  Apparently, I grow 'em big and I grow 'em fast.  She will be a big girl if I hold out until the c-section.  (I only made it to 36 weeks 5 days before my water broke with her brother)

Her room is done with the exception of that damn "X".  I keep changing my mind about how I want to construct it.


The green bin is stocked with the tiniest newborn diapers:) 


 -William Shakespeare


I finished her quilt.  I love it!




I sought out a talented high school classmate to have her knit the most beautiful, soft, perfect coming home from the hospital outfit I have ever seen.  It is so sweet, brings tears to my eyes...

 Thank you so much Devlin Patoka!!!

It is heirloom quality for sure!

The baby book is started and her hospital bag is packed.

If you think it is easy to find a modern, not too girly baby book, you are dead wrong.  I gave up after months on the hunt and settled on this one.

The car seat base and car seat is installed in one vehicle and I am still searching for that other car seat base.  I am so "good" and finding hiding spots for things...

Half of my hospital bag is packed.

Big brother's gift is bought and wrapped.

Some snacks for the hospital have been bought.

It is almost time.

I can't wait to meet you, baby girl!



Saturday, January 4, 2014

Gestational Diabetes

When I got the call that my doctor reviewed my one hour glucose test and I failed, I bawled.  I was so scared of possibly having GD that it almost paralyzed me with fear.  This was just one more thing that reinforced the fact that I was "failing at this pregnancy."  GD was the latest in a long line of ailments that this pregnancy has brought with it (including but not limited to morning sickness until week 27, chest palpitations, pica from anemia, varicose veins, blah, blah, blah).  I wish I could say I didn't feel this way, but it is the truth.  I certainly would never think that anyone else who had GD was "failing at their pregnancy."  But the expectations that I have for myself are often ridiculously unfair and absurd.

I scheduled my 3 hour glucose test a week later.  I followed the directions to a T.  I was convinced I had passed, just barely.  Again, the following Monday, I received the call with the devastating news that I, in fact, did NOT pass the 3 hour test and I have GD.  Again, I cried.  Like really ugly cried.  I was embarrassed.  And I didn't want to deal with it.  But 2 days later, I pulled myself together because that is what we moms do.  We step up and do hard things even when we don't want to because it isn't about us, it is about our kids.  Our babies.

I decided that I would use this opportunity as a learning experience.  I can't help the fact that my body failed the glucose tests but I can control how I respond to it.  I made a food journal for 5 days and presented it to the dietician the following week.  I cried during most of that appointment too.  (Did I mention that this pregnancy also has me incredibly emotional???)  I was given a glucometer, strips and lancets.  I now check my blood sugar 4 times per day by finger prick.  I check it first thing in the morning and 2 hours after every meal.  I was educated on how to keep my blood sugars in check by counting my carbs and sugars.  I was also told what foods would NOT affect my blood sugars.  I call these "free foods" and was excited to find out that cheese was on that list:)  Protein and vegetables are also on the list.

I have learned a great deal about the role that protein plays to help keep blood sugars more stable and balanced and I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to control my blood sugars quite well with a more balanced diet and avoid medications and insulin.



I really want to avoid medications because if I was put on medication, the pregnancy would have to be managed differently.  It would require twice per week Non-stress tests and more ultrasounds to monitor the baby's growth.  I am still trying to work full time so that would mean a lot of time I would have to take off of work and I want to save that for after baby is here!

It has been a humbling experience but it has also filled me with knowledge and compassion for others that have diabetes.  I can really appreciate the lifestyle changes, constant monitoring and continual awareness that accompanies their daily lives.  My GD will go away after the baby is born but not every one is that lucky.  I am also at higher risk for developing type II diabetes later in life because of having had GD.  So the lessons I learn now may come in handy later.  But I assure you, I will do everything in my control to ensure that does not happen!  But if it does anyway, I will be up for the challenge.