The Brennens…

It’s a monumental week: we hit November 9, which means that we are down to less than a month to go! (Assuming my son is a timely fellow!) It’s exciting and terrifying all at once!

My doctor’s appointment was nice and uneventful. Shane had a ton of questions after our hospital tour last week, so we got those taken care of. Most interesting among his interrogation were the cord clamping policy (how much of a delay…this practice’s policy is 30 seconds…some do 60 but she said there’s not much benefit since the blood that’s being cut off in the cord is fetal blood and he will need to process that out anyway) and cord blood banking (not much benefit to private banking because the perks of private can be had with public – and public is free). It’s going to be strange not having constant doctor’s appointments after Eugene arrives. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to occupy my mind and won’t be concerned with that but from this side of things – it’s weird! We’ve had constant appointments for about a year and a half, with the exception of the break we took last November and December, so to think that we only have three more to go…it’s good! But it’s definitely strange.

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Busy busy week!

We spent almost all of it either preparing for the painters or living in a construction zone while the painters worked from Monday morning until late Thursday. We picked a light gray for almost everything (SW Repose Gray) and a slightly deeper gray for the kitchen and bathrooms (SW Dorian Grey). They also painted all of the doors and trim and ceilings and holy moly it’s amazing how good it looks! Once the house is put back together I’ll post some pictures.

We had a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and everything is looking good. I’ve gained about 35 pounds…way more than I intended to, but still not too bad. My blood pressure was also much better this time – 132/78! For someone who has dealt with hypertension – and white coat hypertension – and freak yourself out and raise your BP hypertension – I’ll take any good reading! When we left, Shane again complimented me on how well I’m/we’re doing. It’s been a pretty hellish 8 months in general so I’ll take whatever I can get. Thankfully, I’m ultimately feeling good. The foot swelling is uncomfortable and hurts a lot. I’m not a fan of how tired I am or that I need help standing. But otherwise, I feel great!

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This week I’m feeling thankful…it was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Sunday and my heart just ached for my friends and family who have suffered in that way. Being pregnant after struggling so long should feel like a relief, but knowing that others are still on the road is heart breaking. Some days, each kick is a reminder that I have friends who have not yet realized their dreams and I’m so very sad for them…and so thankful for Eugene. This week is also a good reminder of how much of a fighter my dad is – from the beginning, the deck was stacked against him. He was born early at 4 pounds! It amazes me that in 1951, the doctors and nurses were able to keep him going at that size! That size, by the way, is right on par with Eugene. Stay in, little guy! We aren’t done baking!

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I had a rough start to the week…I was still sick from whatever that cold thing was/is…probably should have started home again on Monday but I soldiered through and by Thursday I was feeling pretty human-like again!

We saw Dr. Fisher on Tuesday and everything is still looking good – including Mama losing three pounds! 🙌 I didn’t set out to lose but we have been making a concerted effort to make better choices so I was glad it’s paying off. She told us that we are doing a good job. Darn right we are! (I’m not sure what we are doing so I’m just going to take the compliment and keep plugging along!)

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This has been quite the week.

We started with our baby shower on Saturday. Got lots and lots of amazingly generous gifts… Like I’ve said so many times, this baby is already so loved and we are so fortunate. We got pretty much everything we need at this point… furniture, diapers, bottles, a pack & play, more clothes than he will ever be able to wear, and so many books! We did the completely unoriginal thing and asked that people bring books instead of cards and got so many! I still have a few of my own childhood favorites to buy but he definitely has an established library!

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Crazy to think that we’ve crossed over into the final “decade” of this pregnancy! 10 weeks to go (I feel like I was just only 10 weeks pregnant!).

Best news of the week: I passed my fasting glucose test! I also nearly passed out at Hobby Lobby after because I overestimated the power of the granola cups I ate after the screen was over. Oops! That was a rough day all together. Last week, the glucose drink wasn’t as bad, but this week on a completely empty stomach, it was rough, especially coupled with the inability to rinse the taste out of my mouth for three hours! I survived and I was well within the normal limits for every blood draw so I suppose, in the end, it was worth it!

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First week of the third trimester down…12ish to go! 😳

We had a busy busy week! I had a glucose screen on Saturday, which I failed, though not miserably, just a little bit. That’s good news but the crappy news is that I now have to have the real three hour test on Saturday morning. I’ve done it before as part of all of our testing during Summer 2016 so I know what to expect but I’m not looking forward to it. Hanging out at the Cleveland Clinic lab for a few hours of my life – whoohoo! 🙄

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Another week – and another trimester – in the bag!

It’s so hard to believe that I just finished my second trimester. I’ve heard it’s the easiest one…maybe on Mommy’s body, but emotionally, I will be thrilled to leave this time in the dust. I did feel good (physically) throughout but I’m ready for the next phase.

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