36 & 37 Weeks

I had my 36 week OB appointment on December 1st. I had my 1st internal exam and was 1 cm dilated. My Groupie Strep B test was postitive so I will recieve IV antibiotics before the baby is born.

My 37 week OB appointment was December 10th. I had a non-stress test before seeing Dr. Gerber. It took awhile because the baby was not moving as much as they wanted him to, to make his heartrate jump the way they wanted it to. The nurse put this thing on my belly to zap it and wake him up. Boy did he jump on that one! But he didn't stay awake. The nurse gave me some grape Kool-aid to drink (YUCK!). That did the trick. Apparently he LIKES grape Kool-aid.

My check with the Dr. was productive. I was 1 1/2 cm dialated and 50% effaced. Dr. Gerber agreed to induce me on December 22nd. I was VERY happy and relieved to have another day in there before Christmas incase there were to be a problem. So it's booked and the 22nd is the day unless the little guy decides to come on his own.

We FINALLY decided on a name this week. But SHHHHHH!!! We're keeping that mostly to ourselves until our little guy arrives.

As for how I'm feeling, UGH! I'm having contractions here and there but nothing timely or cyclical. Just enough to play with my head, which is annoying!!! Baby feels WAAAY low. He's been moving his arms around a lot and I swear he's trying to dig his way out! Don't remember feeling this with Ellie and Carter! I'm having some bad rightside groin, hip and back pain. It's pretty annoying! As for sleeping, need to take Benedryl to sleep well. Otherwise I wake up and can't go back to sleep. There's too much going through my mind.

We're ready for this guy to come. Christmas decor was put up Thanksgiving weekend, we Christmas shopped for Ellie and Carter 2 weeks ago and got the rest of what we need for the baby then too. Crib is set up, baby stuff is out of the attic and waiting to be used, clothes are washed and bags are packed. Now we continue to wait until the 22nd...

My next OB visit will be with Dr. Duboe, Dr. Gerber is off that week. How dare she!!! I will also have another non-stress test.

34 Weeks (A week late...)

I had my 34 week appointment on Tuesday, Novemember 17th. I weighed in at 173, which is 1 lb less than I did at my 30 week appt. Dr. Gerber asked Dave if I'm eating and his answer to that was, "Oh yes, she's eating!!!" I was given strict instructions to eat LOTS on Thanksgiving!!! I measured right where I'm supposed to, at 34 cm and the baby's heart rate was good. We discussed induction with Dr. Gerber. She said the earliest she can do it is 39 weeks which makes it Dec. 23rd. I was pretty upset about that because we talked about the 21st or 22nd early on. It make me really nervous to do it that close to X-mas, incase something should go wrong and I would need a c-section. But I think we're gonna go with the 23rd and see what happens. I would like to have my whole family together for X-mas.

Later in the day, Ellie started with a stomach and intestinal virus. We ended up with her at the Good Shepherd ER and she spent 2 nights in the hospital. We got her home on Thursday evening. Our dryer went out during all this and we ran out to buy a new washer and dryer set that night. I started in with the virus while we were out. I called the Dr. the next morning and Dr. Wener wanted me to go in for IV fluids. We got there and they hooked me up to the monitors and it turns out that I was contracting and the baby's heart rate was not fluctuating the way they would have liked it to. I guess they like to see large jumps in the heart rate and the were not seeing that. In fact, it was dipping a bit. They hooked me up with some fluids and the baby's heart rate started picking up almost immediately. The nurse did an internal exam and everything was fine there. The cervix was soft, which is normal for women who have had babies, and was closed. They let me go home a few hours later.

The next afternoon, Carter started throwing up. We ended up with him in the ER. We were able to take him home after some fluids. The next day was pretty rough. He wanted me the whole time and I think I kind of over did it trying to take care of him. The next day, Monday, I felt horrible again. I have continued to have contractions several times throughout the day. Some are strong enough to stop me dead in my tracks. I am just feeling over all yucky. I seem to be having trouble recovering from it all. We'll see what Dr. Wener says tomorrow at my 35 week OB check.

I must say that laying in that labor and delivery room really put things into perspective for me, and Dave too I think. I found myself getting excited, finally! I'm feeling like I want to get everything done so we're ready if this baby comes early. We need to Christmas shop for the big kids, shop for the baby, set up the crib, and get baby things down from the attic. Once those things are done I'll feel MUCH better. Dave all of a sudden got motivated to talk about baby names. I think we have come to a decision on a name but I'm keeping that to myself for the time being. I would like a slightly different vowel spelling to make it easier to understand but Dave doesn't like that name as much. So we'll just keep it a secret for now...

32 Weeks

I had my 32 week OB check on Nov. 4th. Everything checked out fine. I weighed in at 172 lbs. That's 2 lbs. less than last month. Not sure how that happened but I'll take it!!! :-) My BP was nice and low at 100/60. That's the lowest it's been for a couple visits now. I'm pretty much feeling the same, tired, uncomfortable, worried, anxious, peeing about every 30 minutes. Wanting it to be over with and still have soooo long to go. That's pretty much it for now. We go back in 2 weeks for another check, this time with our favorite Dr. Gerber!!! :-)

30 Weeks

I had my 30 week OB check and an ultrasound on October 21, 2009. All went well. I measured right at 30 cm. My weight was up to 174 lbs and my BP was 100 / 70. My 28 week test came back just fine. My hemoglobin came back at 11.6. At 11.5 the Drs. recommend an iron supplement. My Dr. told me I can take one if I want to. I decided not to because it's kinda tough on the ol' digestive system...

The baby measured at the 54th percentile at 30.4 weeks. He weighed 3 lbs 8 oz and his heart rate was at 163. He was awake during the U/S which was VERY cool!!! I was able to see what the different jabs I feel are, feet or arms. He was head down facing my left side. He was completely curled up in a ball with his feet in his face.

These U/S /pics are not that greatest but here they are...

The baby is looking straight ahead with a left hand over his mouth like he's yawning. His right hand is making a fist above his cheek.

This one is harder to see. I think he is looking straight ahead again with his right hand down near his belly.

This one shows how flexible our boy is!!! His head is to the right. His left leg is straight up with his foot sticking in his face.

I'm feeling tired, nothing new there. Just really dragging!!! I have trouble catching my breath a lot. I'm also having a lot of belly discomfort. The only way I can get it to feel better is to lay down but then my hips start hurting. The baby is moving A LOT!!! I feel him mostly low, like at my belly button level or lower. For a long time all the movement was all on the left side but I felt him move and he started jabbing me on the right side the other day too. There is not a whole lot of movement up high, above my belly button level. He also gets the hiccups at least 2-3 times a day. Must be growing like crazy in there!!!

28 Week Update

I had my 28 week OB visit on October 6, 2009. I had the routine 28week glucose tolerance, a urine analysis and CBC tests done. Haven't heard anything about them so that must mean I passed with flying colors! I gained another 5 lbs and am up to 168 lbs. Ugh! I measured right on target at 28 cm and the baby's heart rate was at 148 (I think...). My BP was good too at 110 / 60. Dr. Gerber felt my belly and said that the baby felt like he was head down. She couldn't exactly tell but thought his backside was facing my left side and his knees were facing my right side. There's still plenty of time for him to flip flop around in there but hopefully he'll behave and stay head down!!! I start going to the OB every 2 weeks now. It sure does seem early for that but I guess it's the way it's always been.

I'm still feeling pretty much the same. Tired, trouble catching my breath, peeing about every hour, slow walking and belly discomfort. During the 27th week, I realized I was feeling the little guy's hiccups. He gets them at least once a day if not several times a day. I think he even hiccups in his sleep because sometimes that's all I feel with no other movement. It cracks me up when he gets them!

Ellie felt the baby for the 1st time on September 22nd. Carter doesn't hold still long enough to feel the baby. However, he LOVES to lift up my shirt and hug and kiss my belly. He does this mostly at night when we're laying down and snuggling in our bed before they go to bed. I LOVE it when he does that!!!

On October 11th, my friend, Sara, came up to our house and shot the pictures below. She did an AMAZING job!!! I'm soooo excited to have these pictures to cherish!

24 Weeks

Baby's 1st Picture with Engine 344

I had my 24 week OB check on Friday, September 11, 2009. I saw Dr. Wener. He's the Dr. that delivered Ellie and did Carter's circ. He's a great guy but doesn't spend much time with you. If I had not asked questions, I think he would have been in and out in about 2 minutes flat!!! I weighed in at 163 lbs. That's a 5 lbs weight gain since last month. My BP was up for me. It was 120 / 90. I know that sounds low but that is actually pretty high for me. I run low BP like my mom. They were not worried about it at all since its still considered a normal BP for everyone.

All of a sudden, about a week ago, I noticed the need to go potty more often. It kind of concerned me since I had a bladder infection with Carter starting at about 20 weeks or so. So Dr. Wener ordered a unrineanalysis to see if anything is going on. I have also been having a hard time catching my breath the last few days. All of a sudden things just feel so heavy up by my ribs. I've also really taken a nose dive in the last week in the energy department. I just feel like I'm dragging horribly, walking slower, just no motivation or energy. Not sure what's going on but it's annoying and WAAAAY too early to be feeling this way! I forgot to bring up the energy problem with Dr. Wener. I'm wondering about a possible low iron level. I had that with Carter too. I'm going to ask the nurse when she calls on the urineanalysis to see if the doc would order a blood test to check my iron level too. Over all, Dr. Wener said I was doing well and he had no concerns at all.

Baby is moving a lot! Most of his movements are still really down low however, I did have a pretty good jab up high in the mid side area the other night that kinda hurt. The kids have still not felt him move yet. They just are not patient enough to leave their hands on my belly long enough to feel him move.

20 weeks (1 Month Late...)

We kept forgetting to get a 20 week belly shot. This is the best picture I could come up with to post. Ellie actually took this picture!!!

I had my 20 week OB check on Aug. 14th. All is well. The baby's heartrate was at 150 bpm. I weighed in at what I thought was 158 but my Dr. said I've only gained 8 lbs since my 1st visit in May which would put me at 156 lbs. I can't believe I've only gained 8 lbs. I must have gained a bunch before my 1st OB visit. It just doesn't make any sense. But I'll go with it. We talked about my anxiety about my due date. Dr. Gerber said she can induce me at 39 weeks with no reason to induce if I seem ready. That didn't help me much. Seven days early puts me at Dec. 23rd. I really want to have this baby a few days before X-mas, at the latest. I'd rather he have a b-day before than after X-mas. I will also have family in town and off work for 2 weeks around X-mas that can be AWESOME help with Elle, Carter and the Little Bit. Then Dr. Gerber looked at me and said, "But we can come up with a reason" and then smiled. I love my Dr. She's sooooo AWESOME!!! So we're looking at a induction date of Dec. 21st or 22nd. She said if all goes well with my delivery and everyone is healthy I can go home the next day. Which is also what I was hoping for!!! So I'm feeling MUCH better about it all!!!

We got a bunch of baby things to borrow from my step-sister, Katie, last week. She totally hooked us up! We got a big swing, a Boppy, a Bumpo seat with tray, a bottle warmer, baby toys, and 2 baby gym mats. I know I'm forgetting something. She'll also have a Jumperoo and Exercsaucer for us when we're ready for them. She gave me a ton of maternity clothes to borrow too. I'm very excited about that! A girl feels MUCH better when she has some spiffy new clothes to wear! Thanks Katie!!! Then our neice, Amie, is going to hook us up with tons of stuff too. We've gotten a breast pump and some sleepers and onsies from her so far. We're going to her place on Monday (Aug. 24th) to pick up some more clothes she has for us that her twin boys have outgrown. We're truely blessed to have such awesome family to help us out!!! Makes it MUCH easier on the wallet!!!

Dave felt the baby kick for the 1st time last night, Aug. 19th. The kicks are still not strong enough for Elle to feel him yet. Can't wait until she can!

I'M A BOY

The verdict is in!!! It's a boy!!! I had my level 2 ultrasound today and everything went great! The baby looks great without any signs of problems at all. He weighs about 9 oz right now. His feet and legs are EXACTLY where I thought they were, on the lower left side. Our perinatologist shows him as a due date of Jan. 4th but we're sticking with the Dec. 30th due date. He said it would not hurt to induce him at 37 or 38 weeks so we'll see if we can talk Dr. Gerber into that and have him before X-mas! We have no name picked out yet. We need to get to work on that!

There's the proof! There's a tiny, white, cursor hand pointing to his "peenee woo". I was not paying attention very well when the ultra sound tech started. Dave saw "it" right away and said, "It's a boy!" The U/S tech said, "That is most definitely a boy!" I couldn't believe it. I was wrong for the 1st time out of 4 pregnancies! Dave, Mom, Dad and Tyler all guessed boy. Early on I thought he was a boy but I think I talked myself out of it by thinking girl thoughts and then I was SURE it was a girl. I just kept laughing. Too funny!

This is a 3D picture that is not very clear. He has both his arms up over his face. We told Ellie and Carter that he is already playing peek-a-boo with them!

This is another 3D shot in which you can see his face and he has 1 arm up by his head.

This is a nice profile shot with Baby's mouth closed. The white blurb above his eye is his right fist.

This is another profile shot with his mouth open.

1 Week and Counting

A week from right now the mystery will be known! I don't know how I can wait another week but I guess I have no choice! The baby has been moving differently the last few days. Not only do I still have the little jabs here and there on the lower left side but I feel pushing out down below my rib cage on the left side as well. It will be fun to see if it's feet down there I feel! :-) I can't wait!!!

16 Weeks (A week late again!)

I had my 16 week OB check today, July 17th. We heard the heartbeat at a rate of 147 beats per minute. I had my alpha fetal protein blood work done. This checks for spinal cord defects as well as other possible problems with the baby. I did gain some weight since the last visit which is good because I had lost 1/2 a lb the last visit. I'm up to 155 lbs, I think that was about 1 or 2 lbs high. All of a sudden in the last couple days I gained 3-4 lbs. Very weird! We were in and out of the OB's office in less than 15 minutes I think. It takes longer to get there then we spent there.

I'm definitely starting to feel "Little Bit" moving yesterday, July 16th and today, July 17th. Just feeling little knocks here and there. Especially when I'm sitting up and kinda leaning forward a bit.

A week later, July 23rd, feeling lots of movement throughout the day both sitting and laying down. We got a normal result back from our alpha fetal protien test I had last week. Good news yet again!!!

12 Weeks (A Week Late!)

We had our First Trimester Screening on May 16th. The ultrasound looked great and my blood work sent to the genetic lab came back great too. Very good news!! I had a regular OB check yesterday. The baby's heart rate was at 162. I actually lost 1/2 a pound since last month's visit. My Dr. asked if I'm eating enough. Dave and I both answered, OH YES!!! I think the scale last month was off because I just about died when she told me what I weighed. I'm at 149 lbs with a 37 inch waste now. We go back to the perinatologist for a level 2 U/S on Aug. 6th and that's when we'll be find out if we have another girl baby or another boy baby. I can't wait to find out!!!!

Here he / she is. I think it's pretty easy to see this one.

This is a 3D front view. The head is at the top with hands covering the face. The feet are curled up at the bottom.


Here is moi at almost 13 weeks.

Introducing Baby Kaltenbach

Hello world, here I come!!! I'm 9 weeks old now. My mommy is feeling so, so. She's having a terrible time getting off some medicine called Cymbalta. It makes her feel very, very sick. She is hoping it has no affect on me. Right now I'm the size of a peanut, about 1 inch long. I'm due to enter the world on December 30th but Mommy is hoping for an early b-day. Here's my first picture...

The rounder part of me, on the left, is my head.

The thing sticking up on the right are either my feet or my embilical cord.

I was moving around like crazy while this picture was being taken of me.