Watermelon. (Well, kind of)

Well, it's been exactly a week since I was put on bed rest and so far, so good. We had quite a lengthy doctor's appointment this past Monday. We started out having an ultrasound which was so exciting! I had been dying to see how much our baby boy had grown and changed since our last ultrasound at 20 weeks. My mom, Alyssa, Blair, Brooklyn, and Justin were all there to share this experience with me and that was really special. After the ultrasound, they did a NST (non-stress test) to check London's heart rate, movement, etc. There was one monitor that checked his heart rate and one that checked whether or not I was having any contractions. Every time I felt London moved I had to push a button-this lasted 20 minutes. The results of the NST all came back normal. I finally met with the doctor and went over the the ultrasound, NST, my blood pressure, etc. It seems that little London is currently living up to that name. He is measuring about a week behind and weighs approximately 5 (ish) pounds and they said he would likely take after me in length (he may be a little on the shorter side)...we shall see. :) The doctor was pleased with the results of the NST and my blood pressure was still a little on the high side, but not nearly what it was on the previous Friday. He told me to continue to take it easy and stay off my feet as much as possible. However, he did give me permission to go to church and on short outings where I wouldn't be doing a lot of walking or vigorous activity. For that, I was very thankful! Needless to say I have been taking advantage of resting and relaxing this past week. We have been so blessed with family and friends stopping by for visits and dinner for us.

According to my iPhone app, London should be about the size of a watermelon this week, weighing about 6.5 pounds and measuring between 19-22 inches long. However, according to our visit this past week our little London isn't quite ready to be a watermelon. I am 36 weeks, 5 days pregnant as of today. That leave about 3 weeks, 2 days left until we meet our little man! I cannot believe how close it's getting!

I've been working on a pregnancy journal and I was looking back at the different ultrasound pictures we've had. I thought I'd share a few. It's so neat to see the progression of how London has grown over these past several months! Enjoy!

London at our first u/s. 8 weeks/5days

3-D image at our first u/s.

3-D London at our 2nd u/s. 19 weeks/3 days

It's a BOY! 2nd u/s.

Sweet boy at our 3rd u/s. 36 weeks/1 day

Hugs,

Meredith

Large Cantaloupe.

It has been quite sometime since my last update, so here it goes...

Little London is now the size of a large cantaloupe. He is somewhere between 19-22 inches long and now weighs around 6 pounds! Today I am exactly 35 weeks and 6 days, leaving only 4 weeks and 1 day left until his due date. I have had a handful of doctor's visits from the day of my last post until now. My blood pressure has been creeping up more and more over the last month and my doctor has been keeping a close watch on it. Last weekend I started not feeling so great and so I called and made an appointment for this past Monday. My blood pressure was high, but they wanted to check it again later on in the week. Yesterday afternoon I went to have it checked, and after checking it 3 different times over the time span of about 20-30 minutes my numbers were not looking good. The nurse took down some information from me about how I've been feeling, along with all 3 blood pressure numbers and went to discuss things with the doctor. I was definitely not mentally prepared for what she came back with. As of yesterday afternoon I have been put on bed rest and am not allowed to return to work until after London is born. I am also being put on medication for my blood pressure. I am supposed to become a "lady of leisure" as my doctor so delicately put it. I will say that this caused a lot of mixed emotions inside of me and it is still something that is settling in this morning. I am thankful/happy to not have to deal with the stress of work everyday for the next month and I have a feeling that the job I have was probably some, not all, but some of the cause of my high blood pressure. However, I am not so excited about having to sit/lay on the couch all day without really being able to go many places. I know that in the end it will all be worth it and that God has got a plan for why this is happening. I am going to make a conscious effort to see this as a blessing and something that is positive for both me and London. (I will say that the fear/worry/anxiety will still creep in, I'm sure). I am so blessed to have such a great family and such great friends who have already offered to help and come and visit with me so that I don't go completely crazy! We will go back to the doctor on Monday morning for an ultrasound (yippee!), and a non-stress test to make sure that little London is doing fine. I should be getting the results of some lab work I had done yesterday and if everything looks normal, then I will continue on bed rest and will be monitored weekly. However, if my lab work comes back abnormal, they may want to deliver the baby SOON. Ahh! I'm not quite sure what "soon" means, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

All of that being said, if anyone is reading this please lift us up in prayer. I know that God has got this all under control and I don't need to worry about a thing. However, it is definitely in my nature to worry, stress, and have major anxiety.

I will definitely try to update as things happen over the upcoming days/weeks to come.

Hugs,

Meredith

Pineapple.

To all of my blog followers, I apologize for the lack of updates recently. Life has been pretty crazy and we have been staying very busy. I cannot guarantee that this will be a complete life update, because I do still need to write some lesson plans and I am getting ready to watch the season premiere of Modern Family!

In baby news, London is now the size of a pineapple. He is now somewhere between 19 to 22 inches long and he weighs about 4.9 pounds. Today I am 33 weeks and 3 days along, with 6 weeks and 4 days remaining. AHHH! I cannot believe how close it's getting. London is moving around all the time now...punching, kicking, kneeing, etc. I love lay down and watch my belly move. I cannot wait to meet that little boy. :)

Things are starting to feel more like home around here since we moved into our new apartment. We moved into University Center Apartments on Labor Day. I absolutely love living here and I'm so thankful that God has given us the opportunity to serve at the CARES team.

School is really tiring and draining most days. I am exhausted, sore, and swollen by the end of each day. I know that it will all be worth it in every way, but sometimes it's difficult to think that way in the middle of the pain.

Anyway, time for Modern Family and a few more lesson plans. Thanks to everyone who keeps up with my blog.

Until next time...

Hugs,

Meredith

Head of Lettuce.

I. am. exhausted. Summer is officially over for Mrs. Evans the Kindergarten teacher and school in back in full swing. Needless to say, this will be a short post. London is a growing boy as he reaches the size of a head of lettuce this week. He is now about 18 inches long and weighs about 3.2 pounds. Today I am 30 weeks and 1 day, leaving 9 weeks and 6 days left until his due date. I am definitely growing, too! Last week I found out that I do have gestational diabetes otherwise known as "the sugars" (per my friend Allyson). I am meeting with a diabetes Dr. on Wednesday afternoon to go over my diet/exercise plan for the next 10 weeks. I am not to thrilled that I will likely be cutting out nearly all of my favorite foods and drinks. However, I know in the long run it will be well worth it to have a healthy baby boy and for him to have a healthy mama. I literally cannot think of anything else to write and my brain/body are telling me it's getting close to bedtime...yes, even at 8:37 PM. Until next time...

xoxo,

Meredith

Butternut Squash.

This morning I am blogging from the waiting room of my doctor's office. Today is the day that I'm having my second glucose test. Let me just say that this is not the most pleasant experience. I am absolutely starving since I had to start fasting at midnight and cannot eat again until we leave. I'm having my blood drawn again at 10:03, 11:03, and 12:03. As soon as they draw blood for the final time, I am free to go! Thankfully, I have a husband who is willing to be here with me the entire time and take me out to lunch as soon as we are finished. I am praying that I do not have gestational diabetes, and should probably find out for sure within the week. But, on to more exciting and important things...

This week London is the size of a butternut squash. He is approximately 17 inches long and 3.1 pounds. I am 29 weeks and 2 days today. That leaves only 10 weeks and 5 days! I cannot believe how soon he will be here. September is going to be an exciting month because we are starting our birthing classes with our good friends Daniel and Allyson Hodges. We also have 3 baby showers! Oh, and we will likely be moving! I've also been busy as a bee trying to get my classroom set up since the first day of school is this Thursday. CrAzY TiMeS!

Well, almost to get blood drawn again. Until next time...

xoxo,

Meredith

Small Cabbage.

This post will be very short, sweet, and to the point because I have to get up early and go back to work tomorrow. Yep, that's right...goodbye summer-hello new school year.

Today I am 28 weeks, 3 days pregnant. London is supposedly the size of a small cabbage this week. His weight is approximately 2.9 pounds and he is about 17 inches long at this point. I had a doctor's appointment along with my glucose test this past Monday. Everything looked great with me and baby L. His heartbeat was 147, which is good. The only negative thing that resulted from that appointment was that I failed my glucose test by a measly 5 points. Meaning, I have to go and have the 3 hour glucose test where they will draw my blood 4 times (which I HATE btw) and I can't eat anything from midnight the night before until after my appointment, which should be over around noon. WAHHHH! I know, woe is me. I guess it is what it is and I need to just suck it up and be thankful that I have the opportunity to have these kinds of tests done to ensure that both me and baby L are properly taken care of. I will go for the 3 hour test on Tuesday. Wish me luck!

Alrighty, I have got to try and get some sleep. I worked all day in my classroom and my body is not taking it so well. I can only imagine what aches and pains tomorrow will bring. Until next time...

xoxo,

Meredith

Head of Cauliflower.

I am officially on my 3rd trimester!! Today I am 27 weeks and 1 day, leaving only 12 weeks and 6 days left! I cannot believe how fast time is flying. This week baby London is the size of a head of cauliflower. He is approximately 16 inches long and 2.5 pounds. London is becoming more and more active by the day. I cannot wait to meet this little boy. Not much to update about this week. I have my next doctor's appointment on Monday and I have to have my glucose test...whoopie. I also, go back to school next week for teacher workdays, before the kids start the following week. I cannot believe that the school year is about to begin again. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine and meeting all of my new kids. I'm also ecstatic about FALL! This heat is ridiculous and I am so ready for cooler weather, pretty leaves changing colors, bonfires, and everything else fall! Well, until next time....

Hugs,

Meredith