NO SUGAR! BAD SUGAR!

Uggg so recently I've been dealing with some issues concerning my health during pregnancy.
I went in for my 1 hour sugar test right before Mike and I took off on our little mini vaca..
When I got home my OB's office called to tell me the results.

The cut off for a pregnant woman being in a safe zone is a reading of 130; mine was a 201.
So we skipped the 3 hr test and went straight to being diagnosed with gestational diabetes..
A couple days later I had my first appointment with the endocrinologist.

I need to mention here that I was majorly stressing out on the way to the appointment. It was one of those "WHY ME?" moments that so many of us have. Also let me note that on the way to the doctor (about an hour before being seen) I ate a half of one pop tart, and drank half of a pomegranate tea.

When I was called back to a room I was informed that my BP was up, and then attacked with a ungodly amount of questions. (another couple of things that added to my stress level that morning).
The nurse checked my sugar levels, and it was at a 178. Her reaction? "OMG, That's high!" "what did you eat?" So now I'm freaking out!! thinking I've got diabetes, my sugar is crazy, I ate the wrong things, my blood pressures up... at this point I started to get a little "hot flash" of sorts.

The nurse continued through my obvious discomfort in showing me how to give myself a shot, and explaining how the doctor might want me to do this multiple times a day... She was speeding through everything, and before I knew it I was on the verge of passing out completely..

This is where I stopped the nurse and told her "I think I'm going to pass out." she looked at me like I was crazy. "Why, are you afraid of blood.?" I told her no not normally and she just kind of ignored it at kept rambling on!! I had to stop her again and tell her, and she finally got me a cold compress, but did not stop with the info giving at all.. talk about overwhelmed!!

After I felt better I was seen by the actual doctor.. She stressed me out by letting me know the risks to the baby, and she didn't help by not giving me a food guideline to follow at all..

I filled my scripts and started my insulin the next day.. Not as bad as I though, and neither is the poking my fingers. I've been following what I thought to be a good diet, but my sugar levels are still off some days.

today I met with a nurse and a dietician at the hospital. They helped reassure me a lot, and I am now more confident that I can keep this under control.. As long as I follow my now new meal plans and keep an accurate record of my sugar readings throughout the day, my doctor should be able to adjust my insulin levels to stabilize everything.. It defiantly helped hearing someone say that it wasn't something I did wrong, or that I can control. I was sooooo stressed over all of this, and I know stress isn't good either, so I'm glad my mind is eased a little.. Plus I'm happy to report that I have managed to keep my levels in the normal ALL day today!

Crafty, thought I'd share :)

For the past two days I've been working on things for the shower. Getting gift baskets started, doing some crafts for prizes and the tables.. Some of the crafts I like so much I thought I'd share with ya'll!!

First I decided to make small prizes for one of the games that will have more than one winner. We had an excess of baby food jars (from a stash I found in my old garage rafters) and I liked the idea of the "baby theme" with them. We bought a few fragrances of bath salts, also cleaned and DE- labeled the jars. for this project I also used the following

Spray paint
ribbon
glitter
spray adhesive
printable labels                                Here is the result

Spray painted the lids, then used spray adhesive and a sprinkle of glitter

 Filled the jars, ties some bows, and customized and printed the lables

 They ended up turning out great!!

Here is something great that I discovered about the labels!! You customize them online, and then just print them, By going to www.avery.com/print (which was provided with the purchase) You can get all kinds of templates for any size label, and customize them however you want to... So I thought, what else can I use this feature for, besides just this one thing.

I needed to print out some little inserts for the invitations, with tips about the hall location. By going to the site I could use any template for labels I wanted, and print a full sheet on card stock instead of pre-cut labels.

This is what I was able to create!!

But I'm just thinking ahead, how useful this site will be for save the dates, registry information, direction inserts in any type of invite.  the sizes and possibilities are endless.



Ok last craft of the day.
For this one I needed the following
Themed sheets of scrapbook paper (got them for 50% off of 59 cents at hobby lobby)
cup cake paper cups
blank stencil sheets
free online print out of design.

I printed out the outline for 2 different flower shapes that I liked from Google Images,
Then I cut them out and traced them onto the blank stencil sheets.
I then cut the flower out of the blank and ended up with my stencils.

I labeled my stencils 1 and 2 and also marked which side needed to be up, it was a tight fit on the paper, and it all needed to be uniform.

On the back of the scrapbook paper I traced out one of each flower, and then did A LOT of cutting.

those are 2 of the many "baby" themed designs that I cut

The next steps just required me to glue (I used Elmers glue stick) the cupcake cups into the middle of each flower. 

These I will use to scatter on tables at the shower and fill with pretzels or chex mix for the guest... I for one think they are super cute.

Our windy Baby Moon!!

       Since my last post things have been happening rather rapidly. Aiden is a kicking monster now-a-days. Mike finally got to feel him kick.

Mike and I went on what some call a "baby moon" which is basically a little getaway just the two of us, to get some quality time in before all the focus is on baby. We went to the Western part of Michigan. Silver lake, Ludington area. It was a very nice trip, except we ended up being there on a weekend that wanted to torture us with cold and rain.
The First day we spent shopping and antiquing in a small town called Pentwater. We bought the baby a few things. Some stuffed animals for his room (when he ever gets one) and a book by a local author about teasing. Also visited a candy shop, and shared some shave ices together (in the car) in the rain.

             They were delicious! 

Later that afternoon we ventured up to the Little Sable Point Lighthouse in Mears MI. It was freezing and the wind was kicking, but it beat sitting in the car or in the (at this point) soaking wet tent.

Note the date on the pics is WRONG

should read 6-1-2012, but I didn't notice until to late

Later that evening around 7pm the sun came out for the first time in nearly 16 hours. and ( thank heavens) the rain stopped. We dried and cleaned everything up around the campsite (did I mention we had a tent?) and around 9 pm headed to Lake MI to watch the sunset. It was mike's first time to this lake, and the sunset was beautiful.

Lake MI sunset from Sliver Lake State Park

We spent a pretty cold night huddled together on an air mattress in our tent, and were up bright and early to get the day started. Luckily day two came with very minimal amounts of rain. 

First thing on our agenda (since it was weather permitting) was to get on a dune ride. Which Might I ass was the first time either of us have been on it, and despite the cold and the wind it was VERY fun.

We even decided that we would for sure come back when Aiden was older, and make it a point to tell him he'd already been on this ride when he was in mommies belly. 

Mac Woods Dune Rides

The rest of our amazing day was spent in the town of Ludington. This weekend happened to be the 1st annual western Michigan Lighthouse Festival. So we hit a local arts and crafts fair, and then Headed to Ludington State Park (this is where the recreation pass on our license plate worked wonders, I highly recommend getting one)

The sand dunes here were particularly neat, the road basically cut through them. and for a few miles stretch you could pull over anywhere and walk a few yards right to the lake. We definitely didn't waste this opportunity. I even go my toes in the sand.

We also took a bus ride up to see the Bis Sable Point Lighthouse (normally only open to hikers). this was also really cool. 

Western MI lighthouse festival.

Ludington State Park

The next morning we began our 4 and 1/2 hr trip home. Me sore from the air mattress, and both of us tired from the cold and wet. but we are definitely happy that we went!! It was a beautiful trip..

Baby kicks and hammers

My mom and I decided to plant the garden over the weekend. While doing so there was some hammering required to get some metal fencing to stand up for the cucumbers to grow along.

My job was to hold the tall metal stake as my mom hammered away at it, until it was far enough in the ground.

LET ME TELL YOU, Aiden does not like that noise!! It was actually the funniest thing. Mom would start hammering and Aiden would start kicking away right in the center of my stomach, mom would stop hammering, Aiden would stop kicking, and so on. It took maybe three instances in a row for me to realize that he was responding to the hammering sound. and OH MAN was he responding! This went on for a good minute or two until we got the second stake in..

It just so happens that later that night, I had showered and decided to sit out on the patio to enjoy the warm weather, that I felt him kick my hand for the first time.. I've been able to feel some pretty good kicks for a few weeks now, but never on the outside.. All that commotion must of woke him up a little bit. It was the coolest thing ever.

Mike still hasn't gotten to feel it. I think Aiden is shy. I'll feel him start to kick, and I'll tell Mike, but then he stops right away...

Oh well, at least I got to..


Had to share this story...

In other baby news, things are great. All my appointments have been great, I've gained an average of about a lb a month so I'm up to almost 5 lbs now, and going on 6 months. Which THANK GOD it's been do gradual, I did not want to be one of those women who gained 40lbs or something..  I'm measuring perfect, and next week I go in for my sugar test. I've been feeling so good though, I can't imagine my sugar being off..

Lets see.... Does anyone have an opinion on Birthing classes?? Did you take them? If so was it worth it? If not, did you wish you had? I have the option of signing up for them in a few weeks, but I'm on the fence about it. They cost 40$ and we would have to go to four 2hr classes or one 7hr class. I just can't see how watching a video and learning about the birthing process is going to better prepare me. I'm sure that's not what I'll be thinking of when the time actually comes anyways... Give me some input please :)


Also a little update about my knee injury from my previous post this month.. Knee is doing better, but still not healed. Dr. says it's extremely damaged, but we are holding off on MRI's and specialist because I am pregnant. the knee is still swollen and It's been nearly an entire month. I am not longer limping as badly, and require no brace, but it is still sore and stiff at the end of everyday, and boy is it still swollen.. I go for another follow up in two days.. We will see what they say

It's been awhile...

Well  I haven't posted anything in a couple weeks, So I figure I'd better write some things down here, before I start to forget things that have happened..

ALL ABOUT BABY:
                 Things on the baby front have been great, I've been feeling healthy, I've been on a normal sleep schedule FINALLY! I've been starting to feel him kick up a storm, but I've still yet to feel him on the outside, so mike hasn't felt it yet. My Due date moved up from the 14th to the 10th, (which happens to also be Mikes birthday) So as we stand now I am at the end of week 21 of my pregnancy.

I've only gained 4 lbs so far, and have been told that me and baby are right on track, and where we should be. My next appointment is on May 17th.

SHOPAHOLIC:
                I have been on a baby buying rampage!! My mom and I have hit up quite a few garage sales, and two mom 2 mom sales, and I've got to say I've scored quite a bit of stuff... I've actually kept an inventory, so I know what I have and how much I've spent.. So I'll share,

 Bouncer seat 8$
Pack and play 20$
giraffe chair 10$
walker 3$
swing 10$
bath helper .25cents
grooming kit 5$
sling 2$
head support 2$
bed gate 1$
kick and crawl 2$
3 crib sheets 2.75$
2 receiving blankets 2$
BULK Clothes, towels, sleep sacks 20-30$

All in all It's under 100$ and I really did get a lot of stuff.
At this rate, I've kind of got to cool it, the shower is not till August, and I'm not going to have anything left to get if I keep on buying... I did get a little Pea Pod costume for Halloween though, and I am in LOVE with it..

PARTY PLANNING MOMMA:
             My sister and I have also been thinking hard about the planning of my shower. The hall is booked, and I have the invitations already.. They are sooooo cute and I ordered them pre printed with all the info, so I don't have to fill anything out. Complete with my own little rhyme and everything! I want to post a pic, but I don't want to ruin it for when people get them in the mail.

We've got a lot of ideas in our heads for games, and decorations.. Soon here we will be finalizing our plans and start putting them into action. We did make a bunch of Tea light holders out of baby food jars for the tables that look adorable. And we also decided on a Candy theme for the dessert table, so I've been picking up different shapes and sizes of glass canisters that will house anything from Blue skittles, to Blue rock candy on a stick, and guest will be able to make a little take home bag of candy. (It's going to be cute)..

This is the concept, but blue

I've also got a binder full of anything shower related! as crafty as Kayla and I are, I know that everything is going to be just adorable!!


PUPPY PROBLEMS :(
    Not really puppy problems as much as it is my problem.. Mine and my moms dogs gave me quite an injury last week!! Cali (my dog) is a 114lb Rot/lab mix, and Ali (mom's dog) is a 98lb Rot/Shar pei mix. When they "Play" they really play. I was walking across the side yard and the two dogs were running full speed down the hill towards me. I knew they were going to take me out, what I didn't know was how HARD they would hit me, so I braced myself for the blow. What it did was pop my knee inwards and drag my feet across the ground, knocking me to the ground. They trampled me, and even hit me so hard that my shoe came off. I felt something pop or tear, not sure which, and it took a good 10mins before I could even think to attempt to get off the ground. Long story short, A visit to the ER, no broken bones, in a full length leg brace for a week, doctors appt Thursday to determine if I need to see a knee specialist. I cannot bend my leg, I cannot put my own shoes on, I can't lift my foot into my pants, I can't walk properly. I have to use my other foot, or hands to lift or bend my leg. I can't drive. It's been a week and my entire knee is still so swollen I can barley make out my knee cap..

It's frustrating, and I can't say that I've been following all the rules, (the brace is so damn painful) so I haven't been wearing it that often. And I limp around without it. Bad I know.

My main worry is that I do need a specialist and it's something that needs surgery or takes an extremely long time to heal (as some knee injuries do) What am I going to do if I can't bend my leg? I sort of need to bend to legs to push out a baby!! Few more days and I should have some news on the subject... Trying not to worry..



Well, I supposed that's all the memorable things that have happened in the last couple weeks... I'll post again soon :)

Little man has a name!

Well Mike and I have named our son... Aiden Eli Shaw will be joining us sometime this September!

I couldn't be happier about the name, and we both love it. I wanted an Irish name, and Aiden just popped out at me. As far as the Eli it's after my grandfather, whose middle name was actually Elias, but I shortened it.

Mike has heard so many stories about my grandpa Finn, and I couldn't think of a better way to show how much he meant to me. Aiden will get to learn all about his great grandfather, and thanks to my wonderful parents who saved everything, my son will get to swing in the swing that my grandpa made, and use the rocking horse he made for me as a little girl, as well as play with all the wonderful wooden train sets and toys that my grandpa made for me by hand..

There isn't enough things I can say to explain how talented my grandpa was, those of you that knew him, or have seen his work, you know exactly what I mean... It was very important for me to keep some part of my family in Aidens name. And I'm already ordering my dad around telling him he better do things for Aiden like my grandpa did for me..

And Yes this means having an Elf rock at the end of the driveway.. (This probably requires some explaining)
There was a rock at the end of my grandparents drive way. It was there for all of us grand-kids, the corner of the rock could be picked up and lifted off, and it had a little cave in it. My grandpa told us this story about how there were little elves that lived in the ditch, and when kids came over to visit, if we were good, the elves knew it and would put money in the rock for us. So EVERY TIME we came to visit, my sister and I would race to the end of the driveway, and sure enough there was change left for us by "the elves" aka grandpa.. It is one of my favorite memories..

 Aiden is going to have a wonderful childhood.. and I cannot wait for him to get here.

It's a weird kinda happy....

Well folks It's a boy!! It's so strange, I felt in ever bone in my body like it was going to be a girl.. .It's almost as if I already knew it was, but alas I was wrong.. . I'm not really upset, and I'm soooooo Happy that he's healthy and strong, but I almost feel however like I miss my little girl, even though I never really had one.

 This is probably because I've been wanting to be a mom since I was a little girl, and I have Never once pictured myself without a daughter... I guess I just didn't think I'd ever have a son. And I did the horrible thing to myself by getting my hopes so high up...

I thought though that I would be more upset than I am, but really I'm already starting to come to grips with the fact that it's a little man in there... I keep looking at his ultrasound pictures, and I love him already. Hes a cutie (even if he only is 11 oz and the size of a grapefruit)

I do know one thing, this boy is blessed, because I am going to be the best mother that I possibly can be. and he is going to be surrounded with nothing but love...

Still haven't been able to pin down a name.. I've been trying to think about it since I left the Dr's today. I had to stop thinking because I was getting frustrated by it.. When I thought it was a girl, the name came so easy to me.

I know I'll think of something just perfect... but until then, I love my little no-name.