Saturday, April 17, 2010

Peditrician Visit

We went to the Peditrician this morning for our two week checkup (a couple of days early). The main thing that needed to happen was for Chloe to get back up to her birth weight. She was born at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Upon leaving the hospital, she was 6 pounds, 14 ounces. The doctor wanted her to be back up to 7 pounds, 5 ounces at her two week appointment. Since we scheduled it early, they said we may need to come back. Chloe's weight was 7 pounds, and 9 ounces today! Our little Chunky Monkey did good getting her weight back up. We are so glad. Our next visit will be at one month!

New Pictures of Chloe










Thursday, April 8, 2010

Three days old



These are from the day after we got home from the hospital.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Welcome Chloe Madison Bissell

Well, we finally have a baby girl on our hands. After waiting and waiting and waiting, she finally arrived Monday, April 5th. She was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. We had a very short time at the hospital - getting there about 9:45 pm and Chloe arrived at 11:39 pm. I labored most of the day at the mall and was trying to walk her out of me... guess it finally worked!

My belly... the day of Chloe's debut. Could I get any bigger????


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Baby Pics of Christy and Brian



I got baby pictures of when Brian and I were born so we can compare with how Chloe looks. Brian was 8 lbs and 2 oz (20 inches long) and I was 5 lbs and 10 oz (19 1/2 inches long). I wonder if she will have a dimple like me?? Also, please notice me rocking the mohawk!!

This third picture is supposeably Brian as well, but it looks more like a baby from China. I'm just saying....

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Nursery Pictures

With Chloe being a bit of an over-achiever, we hurried up and finished her nursery. My camera seems to be getting a little fuzzy so sorry for the not so great quality. We decided to keep it simple for now! Christy




Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Chloe is getting ready!

I started having contractions over the weekend. I went to the doctor on Monday and they hooked me up to the contraction monitoring machine (I'm sure there's some name for this). I was on there for about 30 minutes and had three big contractions and I think about three little ones. Chloe's heartbeat was between 130-140 and she's still very active. They said I am dilated one cm and the baby's head is really low. The suggested I rest so I'm doing that when I get home from work everyday. I hope she waits a couple of more weeks, but she may have her own plans! Stay tuned!!

Friday, February 19, 2010

34 Week Doctor Appt

We found out today that little Chloe is now head down and in the birthing position! We are so excited and hope she stays this way. I think she just moved last night. I go back to the doctor in two weeks. After 36 weeks, I will begin going every week. I'm so excited and can't wait for her to get here!

Chloe should weigh around 4 and 3/4 pounds now and be almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Showers!

We have had three completely AWESOME showers. I want to thank all of our family and friends that hosted and gave us wonderful presents. We are so blessed! We love all the presents and know Chloe will as well. Here are some pictures of gifts we’ve gotten.

-The bikini - I'm not sure I've ever seen anything so cute. Chloe better like the pool!!



-The dress and booties I came home in from the hospital! It is 31 years old (and counting) and it was yellow, but it cleaned up well! It looks pink in the picture, but it is white now.















-Pink and white crocheted blanket made by Granny. She's made two before... one in 1977 for my brother and one in 1978 for me. She still has the pattern dated 1977! I know Chloe will love it as much as Jason and I did.

Friday, February 12, 2010

33 weeks and counting...

I’m giving Chloe life, she’s giving me cankles!! I think they may be better now, but my ankles are starting to swell. Chloe should be around 4 lbs this week, but that’s only going by the week-by-week pregnancy calendar. She is growing like a weed!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Week 32 Doctor's Appointment

Our week 32 doctor's appointment went well. It was a short and sweet visit. Chloe's BPM was 135. They also felt around and sure enough her feet are on my right side where I thought she was always kicking me. Her head is headed downwards, but she's definately not quite in the right position yet. She still has time to move though. A lot of people have asked me about ultrasound pictures. We haven't had one since December 1st. At our practice, they probably won't do another one unless there is a need for it (they think she's too small or too large, etc.) So, the next time we see Chloe may be when she decides to venture into this world! From the number of weeks I am, she should weigh about 3.75 pounds and be about 16.7 inches long. She'll fatten up over the next seven weeks.

Our next doctor's appointment is in two weeks (Friday, February 19th). We have picked the midwives group versus the doctors. The midwives spend more time with you during the labor. Also, you are less likely to have a C-section if you choose the midwife group. The doctor on call will always be able to assist if needed and there is always an OB on staff at Northside Hospital. That's the update for now!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Week 31 Picture


I'm getting huge... or should I blame Chloe? Anyways, here is a picture of me at week 31!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Hello Heartburn.

I have never experienced heartburn, but when I felt a burning in my throat, I had to look on WebMD to find out what the heck was wrong with me. Apparently, heartburn is very typical for pregnant women in their third trimester and there’s not a lot you can do about it. The old wives’ tell is that if you have heartburn, your baby will have hair when he/she comes into the world so it appears Chloe will at least not be bald-headed when she makes her debut. Yippee! I already have the bows ready for her! Not I won't have to double-stick tape them on her head!!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

My 28 Week Appointment

At this appointment, we did the normal stuff, but in addition, we also did:
-A GLUCOSE TEST to test for Gestational Diabetes – Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Between 2 and 7 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. When you eat, your digestive system breaks most of your food down into a type of sugar called glucose. The glucose enters your bloodstream and then — with the help of insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas — provides fuel for the cells of your body. Like the type 1 and type 2 diabetes you can get when you're not pregnant, gestational diabetes causes the glucose to stay in your blood instead of moving into your cells and getting converted to energy. During pregnancy this sometimes happens because your hormones make it tougher for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas needs to produce more of it. For most moms-to be, this isn't a problem: As your need for insulin increases, your pancreas dutifully secretes more of it. But when a woman's pancreas can't keep up with the insulin demand and her blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes don't remain diabetic once the baby is born. Once you've had it, though, you're at higher risk for getting it again during a future pregnancy and for becoming diabetic later in life.

With all that said, I took my one hour test and the level you are supposed to be at is 135 and under. I was at 140 so I had to go back in for the 3 hour test AKA as “The Torture Test.” I had to get there at 8am and they took my blood. I had to drink a sugary drink (with two times MORE sugar than the one hour test) and then they drew my blood at 9, 10, and 11. The 11:00 was the worst one because I think my veins were done giving blood and she had to do it twice. The worst part of the whole thing was not being able to eat or drink anything so I felt light-headed and nauseous for about an hour and then that passed. So, you were supposed to pass 2 of the 4 tests and I passed!! If I would have had GD, then I would have had to go to a class on how to eat properly and follow a strict diet. Someone at work had it and she told me her reward for eating well was peanut butter so I would not have been a happy camper!!

-SHOT OF RHOGAM if I am RH negative –
Each person's blood is one of four major types: A, B, AB, or O. Blood types are determined by the types of antigens on the blood cells. Antigens are proteins on the surface of blood cells that can cause a response from the immune system. The Rh factor is a type of protein on the surface of red blood cells. Most people who have the Rh factor are Rh-positive. Those who do not have the Rh factor are Rh-negative. As part of your prenatal care, you will have blood tests to find out your blood type. If your blood lacks the Rh antigen, it is called Rh-negative. If it has the antigen, it is called Rh-positive. When the mother is Rh-negative (I am O-) and the father is Rh-positive (Brian is A+), the fetus can inherit the Rh factor from the father. This makes the fetus Rh-positive too. Problems can arise when the fetus's blood has the Rh factor and the mother's blood does not. If someone is Rh-negative, you may develop antibodies to an Rh-positive baby. If a small amount of the baby's blood mixes with your blood, which often happens, your body may respond as if it were allergic to the baby. Your body may make antibodies to the Rh antigens in the baby's blood. This means you have become sensitized and your antibodies can cross the placenta and attack your baby's blood. They break down the fetus's red blood cells and produce anemia (the blood has a low number of red blood cells). This condition is called hemolytic disease or hemolytic anemia. It can become severe enough to cause serious illness, brain damage, or even death in the fetus or newborn. Only 15% of people are RH negative (lucky me!!). The RH factor does not affect a person’s general health. Problems can occur during pregnancy when the baby's blood has the Rh factor and the mother's blood does not, however it can be prevented in most cases with the medication called immunoglobulin (RhIg).
With all of that said, I am RH Negative so I had to get a shot (in my butt) of Rhogam. I may have to have one more after the delivery. I think this was the highlight of the pregnancy for Brian as he got a good laugh out of me getting a shot in my booty.

This had to be my most dramatic appointment because usually I have no issues. In additions to the GD drama and shot in the derriere, they said my urine showed dehydration?! I do not know how as I sometimes I feel like I may drown in drinking too much water (a true condition, just ask my Mother :) ) so now I am tracking the amount I drink and make sure I drink about 100 ounces a day. Along with the water comes MANY trips to the bathroom! Lastly, they also said my blood showed I was a little anemic and in addition to the four pills I'm already taking, I have to take an iron pill. Here's hoping that the rest of my pregnancy is not so exciting!!

My next appointment is January 8th (32 weeks!) and then I will start going every two weeks. We are getting close to Chloe’s arrival!! She is still VERY active. The midwife at my 7 month appointment saw her give me a big kick when she was checking for the heartbeat. She also made the comment that “We like active babies” so I hope that is good!

Friday, January 8, 2010

The Third Trimester!

We have officially made it to the THIRD Trimester! Yah!