SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

• My birth experience...
• Friday night, April 10th...I was technically 35 weeks and 5 days (original due date: May 10th)... Jared was getting ready for bed because he has to get up at 2 am for work. So I let Percy out around 8 and all of a sudden my water broke. I wasn't sure if I just peed, because it's not like the movies, where it was a water balloon gush. I made it to the bathroom and let it drip in the toilet. There was a little bit of the mucus with blood. I called my Dr's office and it went to the on call Dr at the hospital. She told me to come in just in case. At the hospital they did a swab test and sent it to the lab to see if it was my amniotic fluid and it was. Uh oh, it just got real...So I was admitted. The nurse asked me if I could feel that contraction but I expected contractions to be low like period cramps. So this whole time when I was contracting I thought it was him pushing his foot or butt near my ribs. They gave me about an hour once I got into the room to see how I progressed on my own. I didn't, so they started pitocin.
• I was lucky enough to get a nurse who was training a nursing student... yaye me. She stuck me 3 times trying to get my IV in. She also got to check my cervix- very painful. She had to stick her two fingers in so deep. And I was only 2cm. They don't start an epidural until 4. So they upped the pitocin about every 20 mins. So that made the contractions come faster and closer. So that was painful thing number 2. They gave me some kind of pain meds in my IV. I don't know what it was but it made me loopy. I could tell when I was trying to talk to Jared and his mom that it didn't sound right coming out. It helped me rest though!
• I think that bc I got the pain meds it helped my epidural not hurt going in. Before the epidural my graph showed the contractions going to 65-70% and after I couldn't feel the ones going all the way to 100%. Rhonda was very surprised that I couldn't feel anything.
• The epidural was great and all until... it runs out! It releases every so often, but if you start feeling the pain you can press a button to release a concentrated amount more quickly. I didn't press it every 10 mins. But I did want to make sure I wasn't going to feel anything. So I pressed it every so often. Well of course when he was coming out it was gone! I even asked the nurse if it ran out, would I be able to get more- and she said yes. The only problem is, it went to 0 as he is making is way down, so it was a little to late! AHHH. As some of you know, I am a BIG baby! I do not have a high pain tolerance at all, but I knew there was only 1 way he was coming out so I was crying in pain. Total labor= a little over 17 hours, total time pushing= 2 hours. Brooks Andrew Bartlam arrived at 1:45 on April 11th! The best and worst day of my life! lol
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• Then I had to birth the placenta, which the dr said that it may hurt, but compared to pushing Brooks out, I felt like the placenta just slid right out. Next, the nurse began contracting my uterus. That hurt too!
• So then the dr started the stitches...which I could feel because my epidural was no more. So they injected me with more meds- which also meant I had to get another catheter because I couldn't move my legs. Oh the modesty that is lost after delivering a child!
• Unfortunately I was only able to hold him for a few minutes, because he was making grunting noises. They wheeled him off to the special care nursery, which became our "home" for the next 2 weeks. I'll write another post on our experience there.
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weeks 34 & 35

At week 34 I had another doctor's appointment. I didn't have an ultrasound this time, but should have one more at my 36 week check up. I gained another 4 lbs in only 2 weeks! Ugh! I've been more tired this last trimester so I haven't been moving around as much at school or when I get home. I'm also eating smaller amounts because he's running out of room in there!
He's about 5ish lbs and about 20 inches long. His family jewels should begin descending from the stomach. He continues to gain layers of fat to help maintain his body temperature once he's born. His lungs are continuing to become mature.

Here I am with his new stroller!

Week 35

This week I have been on spring break! Yaye! I'm so excited to have a week to try and get some stuff done around the house before our little bundle joins our little family. Jared got the painting done this week and it looks beautiful! He also ripped up the carpet so that the new carpet can be installed next week. Then it'll just be a matter of moving Brooks' stuff that is scattered around the house into their permanent space!
Tiffany began a photography business- Shooting Star Photography (go check her or on Facebook). 

She took some maternity pictures for me this week! She is still editing, but she shared a few that she completed! What do you think?

Baby Shower and 33 weeks

32 Weeks!

I had my second baby shower, thrown by some amazing friends. Friends that have been there through middle school, high school, college and beyond... I am very blessed! Thank you- Meredith, Katie, Tiffany, April, Kacee and Natalie!

The advice I received

Whale and lovey mama made me!

Mommies to be: Miranda, Mandi, Natalie and I.

Fun game we played where we had to guess the prices...

During my doctor's appointment, we had an ultrasound. Brooks' head is still measuring about 1 1/2 weeks early :/

He was also measuring about 4 lbs 9 oz. So they say that each week he should gain about 1/2 a lb and this proved to be true. My next appointment will be at 34 weeks. The doctor cancelled my ultrasound since I do not have the high blood pressure problems anymore. My next ultrasound will be at 36 weeks....Time is flying by too fast! I need to get everything ready...nest, nest, nest.

33 weeks!

If you can't read the sign...

Brooks has gotten to the point where he is actually hurting me, feeling his movement. Don't get me wrong, I love feeling him (he's going to be very active). According to one of my apps, I am feeling him more because he is running out of room, so there is less amniotic fluid to cushion his punches. He is about the size of a honeydew melon. 

Mommy and daddy love you already!

Weeks 30 & 31

Week 30

I honestly don't remember much about last week...pregnancy brain?

Here is a picture of me doing our traffic duty at school. Our weather has been crazy- cold for a few days then in the 80's the next! Here I am with my jacket, Jared's hoodie and his jacket on. I could barely get my jacket to zip over this growing belly so I borrowed hubby's!

I forgot! I went to the doctor this week!! We finally got to see our baby boy. It's been 12 weeks since  we saw him on the big screen! (oh, but I can definitely feel him!) The sonographer showed us that he is DEFINITELY all boy! He was weighing in at 3 lbs. 10 oz. and had a heartbeat of 149. I forgot to ask her if she knew his length, but according to my apps- he's between 15-17 inches already, about the size of a cucumber. The doctor told me to keep track of my blood pressure, but I could stop taking the medication. Yaye!

 Here is is! He has his hands covering his face. I don't know if this is because he doesn't like pictures, like his daddy, or if it's because she kept poking him! Look at his pouty lips and his heart!

Eyes covered.

Week 31

Poor Percy was sick on Tuesday, so mama stayed home with him. Here he is passed out holding on to my leg.

This week Brooks Andrew is sucking his thumb and growing peach fuzz on his head! I'll go to the doctor again next week. From here on out, I'll be going every 2 weeks. 

We had our St. Patrick's Day Parade at school today. Of course, I didn't have any green shirts that fit, so just had to go with it...

I am very excited for baby shower number 2 tomorrow- Thanks to some super awesome high school friends! (PS. is it just me or is my face swelling already...lol)

3rd Trimester: Weeks 28 and 29

I cannot believe the 3rd, and last trimester is already here! It has already flown by! I hope these last few months go a little slower so that I can be better prepared for Brooks to arrive!

During week 28, we went on a short vacation to the mountains. We stayed right on the Tennessee/North Carolina border at Lake Watuga. (Keep in mind, we have not had a chance to vacation in the mountains since our engagement weekend.)

It was beautiful, but sssooo cold! I would love to go back.....during any season OTHER THAN winter! One night, it got down to 2 degrees! There was also supposed to be a storm that could make the wind 65 MPH and a possible loss of power. We were near the top of the mountain, so that was a little scary. 

One of the days we ventured out to this waterfall (or icefall). As you can see I was layered up, with Jared's clothes on top!

It was just a LITTLE chilly!

When we got back, I had my glucose test done at the doctor's office. I expected the orange drink to be disgusting and room temperature/hot. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all. It literally tasted like everyone said...orange soda, and it was cold, thank goodness! They took my blood pressure again and it came down to 98/58. Which seemed very low since the past few times I've been in. I realized that this could be because it was first thing in the morning and unlike my usual appointments which are after school. Well the doctor told me to monitor twice a day and that I could probably come off the medication. Yaye! The nurse also had me sign papers about the delivery, which freaked me out a little bit. I am not ready yet! I finally went back, after an hour, and got my blood taken. She called me back the next day to let me know I passed! Some more good news!

Week 29: After coming from 2 degrees, it was nice to come to 70+ (at least one of the days this week). This girl was not made for cold weather. I don't know how I ever lived in Colorado or Korea!

Bruce, my father in law, took some practice maternity pictures around the neighborhood. We will take some more as my belly gets a little bigger.

This week, or the past few days, my skin has felt so tight. I feel like my belly button might split open! He has been moving around like crazy, contorting my belly. It has even hurt. There not always just little jabs anymore. I can feel him moving from one side to another. I keep hearing it will only get worse as he continues to grow.

I also had my first baby shower this week! It was after school. The teachers I work with are the best!

Brooks is spoiled already! Now, we just have to get started on putting his room together! Stay tuned... Gotta get the hubby into high gear!

Weeks 25 & 26

First of all, let me start with time is going by so fast. As I sit here and type this, I am currently 12 weeks and some days away from my due date!? WHAT? It is absolutely absurd! I know that every year, we all don't know how the time gets away from us. But of course, the day in and day out, seems to drag on. I'm on the fence... I want time to slow down a bit, because I don't feel like I'm ready yet (although, I know you can never be fully ready for this adventure). Then again, I can't wait to meet my little bundle of joy- to hold and kiss him! It is definitely all in God's perfect timing.

Week twenty-five...

Jared made fun of me for my sign in this one... But as you can see Baby Bartlam is giving mommy heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion...etc. I know it's all worth it, but boy does it hurt after I eat (and it's random food, too). 

I had a friend take this picture at school. This picture marks the day before 26 weeks and 99 days remaining...

During my 26th week, I had my doctor's appointment. The blood pressure came down- I've still continued to take the medicine- it was 106/78. Like I've said before, I think (hope) that the reason I was having the hbp was because of the unknown...not knowing if everything was alright in there. Also, the uneasiness of going to the doctor in the first place. Now that I can feel this wiggle worm moving constantly, I don't have as much fear. My weight on the other hand is a whole other issue...

At the beginning the doctor told me to try to gain only 25 lbs. Well, I am about to surpass that mark. I am VERY thankful that I did not have the morning sickness, but the tiredness that came along with the first trimester led to laziness. Literally everyday that I came home, up until about week 15, I could not do anything. I would want to eat and go to bed! I'm blaming that! 

For the past month, since the last time I went to the doctor, I only gained 4 lbs- which is normal. According to my apps, it says that I should typically be gaining about 1 lb a week from here on out. I hope that that's not true either!! All of January I have been "exercising" (aka walking) for 1-1.5 hours five days a week. I think that has definitely helped keep the lbs at bay. Thank goodness for the energy! It's crazy how much I can get done (although sometimes I still don't feel like it). I don't feel like I'm that big yet, so I don't know where these lbs are going! I really hope baby isn't taking it ALL!

I will have my next ultrasound at my 30 week appointment. I can't wait to see him- it'll have been 12 weeks since the last time I saw him! So his heart rate was 154- the tech said it was perfect! He didn't kick the doppler off this time. I did mention to the doctor that I have been having pains in my upper left side of my ribs after I eat, and it's not every time I eat. I noted some foods that seemed to trigger the pain and let her know how long it lasted (1-2 hours). She said the symptoms sounded like gallbladder issues, but on the opposite side. She said that I could be developing, or soon develop, a stomach ulcer. So, I am also taking pepcid. She also suggested eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals. I also blame it on having a small torso. Baby is wanting to take up all the room so I'm sure my stomach is all crammed up under my ribs!

I take my glucose test in a 10 days. Praying for good news!

 Here's my cuddle buddy, watching tv with me and baby bump!

 Here I am walking around the gym during recess because our kids couldn't go outside- it was too cold! They loved the gym and I loved being able to get my steps in!

And one of my little girls took a picture for me. A little blurry, but here I am at the end of 26 weeks.

And on Saturday, the first day of week 27, Mandi and I went shopping. We spent 3 hours in Babies R Us registering for our boys. We were both exhausted afterwards. She is 19 weeks.

twenty three. twenty four.

(if you can't read my cursive...He is...a dance machine, hearing what I hear, filling out with fat and developing his lungs.)

(both these shirts make me look smaller than real life. lol)

two week update:

How far along? This was week 23 and 24. He is now about the size of an eggplant/ear of corn/cantaloupe, according to my apps. My uterus is the size of a soccer ball... (no wonder, it's pushing all my organs up and poking this belly out!) The protein I am eating is helping his brain develop rapidly. He has hair color now! My guess is going to be dark- maybe not as dark as mine, but it'll be brown. Jared was a "toe-head" when he was little.

Clothes: Comfy and roomy!

Purchases: I scored a dresser for his nursery. I knew I wanted a dark wood crib. So I like how this dresser will match but not too much! Someone painted the dresser with chalk paint (duck blue) and stained the top in walnut! I love it. I will just put a changing pad on top, instead of having a separate changing table.

Body: When I have been checking (not regularly), my blood pressure has been better! Good News!

I've also been having left side, rib pain up near the breastbone- especially after I eat. The doctor told me to keep track of what I'm eating, when it begins and how long it lasts. I feel like it's with EVERYTHING! I have been having some acid reflux, so I don't know if it's that- or if it's because my uterus is ginormous! lol. I also had belly button pain today! I was sitting in one of the chairs at the kid's table, getting stuff ready for my lesson next week, and I felt soreness in my belly button. He has been kicking me more lately right around that area. At one point, I could barely touch my shirt, and the shirt touching my belly button caused a horrific stinging pain!

Sleep: Doing good. I've been trying to be in bed between 9-10. (Old Lady.. I know!)

Best moments of the week: Although he's kicking my belly button, I love the kicks, flutters and movement! 

Looking forward to... my next appointment is in 2 weeks! What I'm not looking forward to? My glucose test that is 2 weeks after that! 

I miss: caffeinated coffee...STILL. Today, although I got 8 hours of sleep, I felt so tired!