three.eight.

I had quite the fun appointment today.
It was super early this morning, and I was up super late (and throughout the night) last night...so I was tired out of my brains.
BUT at the same time I was a lucky girl.

It started out with the same ol NST. My very LAST AFI, and then an ultrasound....which are always grand. (besides the bruises on my tummy, and my very sore uterus, I'm having lots of strong contractions....)

ANYWAY. my doc was stuck with a patient. and I was left to read on the uncomfortable white
u/s bed. When the u/s nurse asked if I would be willing to test out a new ultrasound machine. Of course!
ok so I did think about it, my tummy is really sore. but the chance to check out this baby and with a cool new machine, and what else was I going to do anyway. oh. and I didn't have kids. why not.

They tested this new machine on me- which was super cool. super clear. Just the brain alone was pretty amazing...
I scanned in two pictures. left is OLD machine, right flipped (sorry about that) is the new machine.
its just of his profile, but you can see how the definition is different.

My doc came in and we talked a little bit about baby and me.
he played with the machine. Telling me I'm not the best candidate for testing it out because I am so easy anyway to see through (being thin). no offense. besides practice makes perfect for the tech right?

The new machine does 4D pics too. They did several glances of his face. I could see his little bits of hair, and eye and nose. hand covered it here and there. the 4D technology has improved even from when I had Jack. baby does look so much like a clay alien.

On the last view of the 4D his hand was covering most his face, and that was the only one they took a picture of. the worst one :( still worth posting right. even if you can't tell he has an eye and squished nose.

ok it looks really bad. when going from machine, to scanner, to flash drive and program it lost a lot.
he looks like a clay alien.

Here is my grand ol' 38 week picture.
ONE week from today I will probably be in labor.
ready or not!!

shirts aren't fitting much anymore. I have to kind of hold them down....

Hardings have BIG heads

All is well with baby boy. and me. 

30 weeks is where we are now. crazy isn't it?

The ultrasound went smoothly again, this baby has a big head! 

his head is measuring at 34 weeks while the rest of his body measures at about 30 weeks. 

I'm feeling good- the only thing I could complain to the doctor about is the reflux. So he FINALLY put me on a prescription. off the lame zantac and onto Nexium. You can add a whopping $211.99 to the post below for that medicine.

Insurance is a good thing. Thankful for it every day. 

There are many things I'm starting to complain about though, to my husband. 

I feel huge and squished inside. which I am...all squished inside. 

My main complaint lately is not being as flexible as I was even just a week ago. I can't bend and pick up the toys 100x a day. so my floors seem to have toys scattered way to much which means I'm living in a cluttery house. which means unhappiness. 

Its probably all hormones and nesting feeling kicking in. I'm working on being content with what I can do, and letting go (making Nate do) what I can't. :)

And of course, making the kids step up too. 

30 glorious weeks....

only 10 more to go. or 9. maybe 8?

lemon-lime sugar water

The middle pictures is a little crazy. almost freaky. Its a picture of his nostrils,  lips, and chin.

YESTERDAY I had another appointment and growth ultrasound. (yay!)  glucola drink and blood draw (boo). I am now 27 weeks.

I remember feeling so sick and nauseated the day I did my glucose drink with Jack. I was NOT looking forward to this day. I cleaned my house in the morning, and even prepared a crock-pot meal so that I'd be prepared to lay on the couch ALL day if needed. At 12:17 I finished my lemon-lime flavored sugar water, and it didn't take long for the buzz to kick in!
By the time they had checked my weight, blood pressure and had me laying down ready for the ultrasound I had a headache. But I'd have to say that was the worst of it! I didn't get all nauseous.
My energy did crash. By dinner all I could do is lay around....

Baby in my belly is measuring perfect. and looks healthy as can be. such a blessing.

ME:  About two weeks ago rhem office called and told me my blood work was good, they had consulted with my OB, and wanted to leave everything as it was. I didn't want want to stay on the prednisone, but didn't question anything there.

After a few days I had decided this prednisone was not worth the side effects, especially if all my blood work is good. So I got up the courage and called the nurses line. Thankfully they called me later with a tapering off schedule. phew.
So I'm off, well almost off it now.
It can easily be said, I hate prednisone.

Jump Forward  to yesterday- my OB said that what my rhem doc had saw was an elevated sed rate level. and typically that means lupus activity. BUT it is also very common in pregnant women to have a low ESL. This was comforting to me because it meant I didn't not have my lupus starting to flare but rather, this is normal. It also meant the prednisone was probably unnecessary.
It's ok. It's just such good news.

I'm still feeling really good, and trying to just enjoy this pregnancy. It's so easy to be down and complain-y during pregnancy. You never feel 100%, things ache and and energy goes fast but its a season and a time in my life that I'll never have back. And the time goes by so fast. Before I know it, this baby will be here. crazy.
27 down...13ish to go.