Baby time

Today was my last doctors appointment for this pregnancy, whew. Its not so bad at the start to go once a month, but the every 7-10 days stuff seems to come around pretty quick! I went to the doctor this past Monday as well. Brice took a picture of the "freaking huge" belly (his words), but I'll post it another time. I was hoping I wouldn't be returning home pregnant (since our due date was last Sunday). Fortunately or unfortunatly the appointment went fine and the doctor decided to wait and touch base with us today. Now the plan is for us to be induced Sunday evening and (hopefully) have a baby on Monday! A few people commented today that I didn't seem very excited. I am, but I think I had myself prepared to have this happen earlier this week and at this point I'm just feeling tired and ready to meet this little one :-) I was glad to have plenty to do at work this week and have been busy at home cleaning, getting baby clothes ready, mowing lawn, gardening, etc, so the time has passed quickly. Last week and this week went fast as well since Brice's sister was home. Her visit went too fast...Gabbie has been asking the past couple of days "where's Gretchen?"

It was an odd feeling when I left work this afternoon. First of all, its odd for me to be mostly caught up, which I figured I would need to be since a substitute comes on Monday. It was mostly strange to think our routine will be changing again and I wouldn't be returning next week. I enjoy working for the most part and will miss the staff and residents. Not that I am not excited to have a baby! I will be off of my full time job for 12 weeks. I will stay home for 2 weeks before returning to my 'PRN' jobs of home health and 1 day a week at another nursing home.

Here was the more concerning part of our morning. We are (again) having trouble getting Gabbie's bowels on track. We seem to do well for awhile, then she will go 5-6 days without a bowel movement. Today was our 3rd trip to the doctor in 10 months to try to figure this out. Everytime we go we get the speech about using MiraLax, Milk of Magnesia, enemas, etc. However we do all of that and its hard on Gabbie and on us. Her behavior when she hasn't been 'regular' is horrible and at times embarrasing. The past month has been particularily trying and after she was up crying during the night saying "my tummy hurts" I decided she needed to be seen again. She had to have blood drawn-her first time having it drawn from a vein instead of a finger prick. Then an x-ray. I was so thankful Brice came with me today as I could not have held her down for either test. All I was responsible for was holding her arm during the blood draw and I felt like she was stronger than me for that! The doctor was testing for a potential thyroid problem, which we should hear back about next week. The x-ray showed a 'ball', likely of stool. Hard to believe anything was in there after a week of enemas and laxatives. He also suggested a barium enema study. The person that does that in the Carroll hospital said he would not do that to a 2 1/2 year old as it would be too difficult. So in mid-September we are headed to Des Moines to a pediatric GI specialist. When I thought about it, Gabbie has had occasional problems with this since she was 6-8 weeks old. I am curious what we will find out, and what we will be able to do to help her. Doctor wasn't sure we wanted to tackle this so close to delivery, but I would have taken her to Des Moines today if it would help her. When she feels good she is full of energy, kisses and hugs, and just wants to play outside and is a fairly decent listener. When she feels crappy she just wants to lay on the couch and watch television, doesn't eat well, and has tantrum after tantrum.

That's the update for today. This weekend I am excited for my 30th Birthday tomorrow, golfing with family, a wedding, and a birthday party for a friend! Heading to the hospital on Sunday night might feel like a bit of a vacation!