Baby update

This morning was the ultrasound to check to see if everything was where it was supposed to be, and it is now - whew! So we are a go for a regular birth, unless something unexpected comes up. The baby weighs about 2 lb. 7 oz., which is the 47th percentile for 28 weeks - very good! The doctor said before they are born, they want them to be around the 50th percentile, not too big and not too small. It's kind of scary to think that it should be triple its current weight in 12 weeks. So we got to see the baby again during the ultrasound, which was fun, and got 2 new pictures of the face, but they are kind of blurry. We stayed strong yet again with not seeing what it is - at least my eyes were closed; hopefully Bob's were too! The first picture is the baby facing the ultrasound thing, and the second is a profile of the head with the baby looking up.

I passed the diabetes test, which is good news too. They are going to keep watching for diabetes since I have had extra glucose in my urine a few times, even though the blood test was good. The baby's heart rate was 129 during the ultrasound and 140 for the doctor, and my blood pressure was really good (low). So, everything looks great, and we continue to wait, which is not easy for me!

I think that's about it from the appointment. I get to start going every 2 weeks from now on, until the end (last month?), when I go every week. We start childbirth classes in 2 weeks, which will be fun and scary all at the same time. Bob was inspired by Josh to hard-wire the swing so that it can be plugged in to the wall instead of going through batteries like water. I have washed all the baby clothes that we have now, so we are ready to go!

Graduation!

Yesterday was nursing school graduation! It was very nice and happy. It was just my class of second degree people graduating, so there were only about 28 graduates, which was nice. A few pictures are here if you want to see them. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Dale, Maria, and Bob (of course) for coming! Bob got the honors of pinning me...even though our real pins didn't arrive in time, they had ribbons for us to wear. It's sad to be leaving my new buddies, especially since nobody else will be working at the same hospital as me, but most are staying in the area to work at UNC, so we can stay in touch.


Now, it is theoretically time to study for the NCLEX, but I feel like I can take a break before starting to study, especially since I have until January to pass it. We are all excited about going to the beach next week, including Bella. Tomorrow morning is the next doctor's appointment - still no word on the diabetes test, so maybe no news is good news. We'll find out tomorrow!

Chicago

We had a great time in Chicago this weekend! We got to do some sightseeing and also hang out with the family. Some pictures are here, though we didn't take that many. It was so much fun to see everyone, and congratulations to Aunt Angie and John! We are so happy for you!

In other news, I finished my last 4 hours on the oncology floor at Rex yesterday (woo hoo!) and will be "studying" today and tomorrow for my exams at the end of the week. It was a good experience to be on that floor, but it was way too sad for me. I will never ever be an oncology nurse...kind of like I will never go back to school (but I really mean it this time). Sunday is GRADUATION! Bob is doing his usual work thing this week - he narrowly avoided a trip to Little Rock, AR today. Bella had fun at the kennel this weekend, got a good report card and a hefty bill, and is back to her normal self - cleaner after her bath.

Whew!

Our baby is going to be a jet setter before he/she is even born! Here is what we have planned the next several weekends:

Chicago for Aunt Angie's wedding
Gina's GRADUATION!!!
Beach with Gina's family
Beach/Baby shower
Bye week
Baby care class/Kannapolis baseball game
Boston to see Tom and Pam

I guess I better figure some time in there to study for and take my boards...we are going to have a fun end to our summer, and I hope you all are too!

Baby Shower!

Tonight, Gina's classmates/friends from nursing school threw us a baby shower! We had dinner at 518 West (a nice Italian place in downtown Raleigh), and we had a great time. We uploaded the pictures we took here, in case you want to see more of the action. Here are some selected shots during and after the shower:

Baby sweater!

I just had to share a picture of this sweater that a wife of a patient made for me. She knits them and donates them to needy children, which I think is such a generous gesture. She can make a whole sweater in a day while she's sitting in her husband's room, and they are beautiful. I got one, and my preceptor, who is due in November, also got one. She knows that she's having a girl, so hers is pink. The picture doesn't do it justice because I took it at a strange angle, but it is precious. She and her husband are both such wonderful people and I was so touched that she made it for me!

Feeling the baby

Oh, and I forgot to put in the last post - that I felt the baby move for the first time yesterday! Gina has felt movement for a few weeks, but until yesterday I wasn't able to feel anything.

Baby's Room Updates

At long last... the baby's room (aka nursery) is FINISHED!

I hope you enjoy the pictures - if you have any suggestions, please let us know (other than repainting the room, haha). Also, thanks to Josh, Kati, & Oliver for leftover diapers - that big box should last us at least a week, right?

And a token Basset picture to stay true to the name of the blog: