24 weeks and a trip to L&D

This week we are 24 weeks! 16 to go!!

 How big is baby? 12.5 inches and 1.25lb- the length of an ear of corn!

Weight gain/loss: Up 17lb, definitely still on track to gain 35lb (or more?) but I'm eating healthy and working out so I'm trying not to get worried about it. So many people have commented on how my belly is popping out... and boy do I feel it! :)

Sleep: Sleeping great! Definitely loving my body pillow.

Movement: Khloe is a mover and shaker... she is SO active! Mike and I had a blast the other day watching and feeling her move. I know it makes him so happy to feel/see her moving since he doesn't feel it all the time.

Symptoms: Carpal tunnel-like symptoms and hip/leg pain (seeing a chiropracter for this), heart burn if I eat something spicy or rich before going to bed or laying down, braxton hicks contractions.

Food Cravings: This salad: sweet baby lettuce (spinach, arugala and sweet lettuce), feta, target brand balsalmic roasted almonds, cranberries and Briana's creamy balsalmic dressing... it is DELICIOUS and I eat it at least once a day (no lie!). I'm still craving grilled turkey and cheese sandwhiches and fruit- especially grapes!

 

Gender: baby girl Khloe Margaret Vogelaar! (we got her gender confirmed at the hospital last night... more on that to come later).

What I miss: looking cute in clothes, not feeling huge (I know this will only get worse).

What I'm looking forward to? It's finally fall here... and by fall I mean highs in the 80s! I LOVE fall and can't wait for it to get even colder so I can wear all of my cute maternity sweaters with leggings and boots.

Milestones: We made it to 24 weeks! that means that if precious Khloe tries to come early (also see below for hospital visit), she would most likely survive with A LOT of medical care. We'd love for her to say in for at least 13-15 more weeks though... are you listening Khloe?

Big Sister: As cute and cuddly as ever! She talks about Khloe a lot- especially her heart beat (which she calls a "boom boom"). I guess she still remembers hearing it at our last doctors appointment!

 

Adventures in L&D: *Discliamer: I will be talking about ladyparts and blood...so if you're squeemish, stop reading!* So, last night I woke up with a strong braxton hicks contraction (painless tightening of the uterus that's normal at this stage in pregnancy) and had to pee. So, I use to restroom and notice a lot of blood and some quarter size blood clots. I immediately freaked, screamed for Mike who was asleep and called my doctor. Mike jumped up, ran into the bathroom, saw the blood, turned as white as a sheet and immediately passed out. I ran to get him something to eat, and his color returned as I told him "I need you to get it together right now!" My doctor called us back and told us to come to L&D. We started going down the list of people to call, and our dear friends the Davis' came to our rescue and watched MK while she slept at our house. Mike and I made the treck down to Baylor (which although only took 25 minutes seemed like an eternity) and we prayed the whole way there that the Lord would protect Khloe and myself and that He would give us peace and strength for any situation that we might face. I started having cramps/contractions on the way to the hospital- I think mostly because I was so anxious and stressed. We got to L&D a little past midnight and my doctor had called ahead so they had all of my information ready (which was so wonderful, I wasn't about to sit around and do paperwork!). We got hooked up to the fetal monitors and heard K's robust heart beat, which was SO encouraging. The resident on call did a sonogram, a biophysical profile of Khloe and an internal exam to assess the bleeding and try to find a source. Khloe looked great, and scored an 8/8 on her BPP, my amniotic fluid levels were perfect and my placenta was high, posterior and there were no signs of abruption (seperation from the wall of the uterus). The resident did see active bleeding from the cervical opening, but I wasn't dilated or effaced (the contractions weren't doing anything to make my cervix progress towards labor). Although I was still bleeding, they couldn't find the source and Khloe looked great. So, after they monitored me and K for a couple hours they sent me home on bed rest until I could see my doctor and we can try to figure out what's going on. I'm still bleeding, but it's not getting worse and I'm not having any more contractions. I've talked to my doctor and she has a packed schedule today, so since I'm stable she put me on bed rest for the weekend and I'll see her Monday. So, I'll keep yall updated... and I'll try to resist the urge to be productive (I'm not a good bed-rester, but Mike's being a HUGE help with MK and forcing me to say off my feet).



 

Love y'all,

Mike, Katy, Maddie and Khloe Vogelaar