Week 22

Well, not too much has happened since I last wrote. I am getting larger by the second and I am starting to put the pounds on. I can feel Baby Ismael kicking and rolling around inside. I do have to admit it is the most AMAZING feeling ever! He especially loves to kick my bladder and cervix. Gotta love it! I am limited on what I wear now because my tummy is getting rounder. While I do not need to, I am wearing larger scrub pants to work now. I just like feeling like I have lots of room to move around in and not feeling like crap at the end of the day.

I went to my Cardiologist's office last week for a check-up. She decided we are not at a place to decrease my heart meds since I am having lots of the extra beats. I also told her how tired I have been and my increase in headaches. She decided to check my blood and my hematocrit is a bit on the low side which is making me so darn tired. She spoke to my OB/GYN and they decided to put me on some supplemental iron. I have to go back in 4 weeks.

Today we went to the OB/GYN/Perinatologist office and she went over the Fetal Echo with me, my blood results, and the plan for the time being. We talked about how at this point in the game I should not be so exhausted. I actually should have some renewed energy. She told me that while pregnant your hematocrit decreases and mine is the on the low side of normal; HOWEVER, since I am not a normal pregnant woman and I have a heart condition this is considered LOW. Because of this I am starting iron pills tonight plus I need to take some colace with it because apparently the iron will stop me up! I also need to increase my fiber intake to at least 25 grams a day. Whew! Of course Jose jumped on the bandwagon telling me what I can drink to make me poop more easily (his mom sells this fiber drink). Only thing is the site of his drink in the morning makes me dry heave. So...it looks like 2 Fiber One bars for me a day plus more fiber rich foods. I go back to the doctors office in two weeks to check my fatigue level and to start my every 4 week sonos. I have to have sonos every 4 weeks now to check the baby's heart rate and size since a side effect of my heart medicine is low birth weight and a decreased heart rate for the baby. I am also going to do my diabetes test. Let's pray I pass that because I do not need one other thing to worry about.

After we left there we went to the mall to look for a dress for tomorrow because we are going to a wedding. Let me just say I really look pregnant now. I was able to get a normal size dress at Macy's only a size larger. I feel good about that but I was totally shocked at how pregnant I looked in it. Jose said well you cant hide it Crystal. I wasn't trying to hide it....I was just in awe at how my body looks. I will post pics later on how I look in the dress. We also went to Baby Gap to look for this shirt we saw a few months ago that we loved for a little boy. Since we are having a little prince we bought it for him! I have posted it for you all to enjoy.

Our next big thing is we are trying to decide on bedding for Baby Ismael's room. I like clean, simple, blue, green, and animals. We are looking everywhere and hopefully will decide soon.

I guess this is all for now! I know, I know....it is quite long today.

I am 22 weeks, 2 days pregnant with Baby Ismael!

Week 20

Well, since the other day all I wrote about was the fetal echo I decided to write about how we (Baby Ismael and I) were doing. I am definitely getting bigger. Jose says you can tell I am pregnant now, but I still think I just look fat. There is a definite difference in the way I look now as compared to two weeks ago. SCARY!! I am also experiencing more movement and heart burn. I get heart burn easier now and I am not a fan of it. It makes me have no appetite...but I do force myself to eat a little something for Baby Ismael. My sisters have grown too (No not Carol, Rita, or Becky)! I finally broke down and bought some new bras. I really needed them, but I was too cheap (man Jose would be proud) to buy them until now. I think I was really forced to since my circulation was being cut off. As far as cravings go....I really love funyuns, cheetos puffs, and kool-aid. Man, if I have any of those three I am a happy girl!

Today my alarm went off and of course I wasn't ready to wake up yet, so I hit snooze (Jose hates that). Well right before it was about to go off I felt this little jab on my side. I smiled and kept on laying there. Well a few minutes later I felt it again and I was like okay okay I am getting up! It was so cute. I guess Baby Ismael was ready to go to Church.

This week I am going to see my Cardiologist. It is just a routine check up so hopefully there will be no exciting news. In regards to my heart I feel the extra beats often now, but they are not consistent and I do not feel bad when I get them.

Every time I see Marcus he asks me is it time for the baby to come out yet? I always say the same thing, "No, remember he is coming at turkey time!" I asked him what the baby was going to be and he remembers it is going to be a baby boy. I asked him what his name is going to be and he though about it and announced, "Big Fat Baby Boy!" It was so funny.

Well, this is all for now. I have to finish my paper that is due tomorrow.

I am 20 weeks 4 days.

Fetal Echo

Well today Jose and I went to Children's for our fetal echo. I was registered as a patient, which was kind of funny. They took us into this room and explained how the day would go. We would first get a fetal echo by a sono technician and then Dr. Ikemba would be watching it on a monitor in the next room, then she would come in and take some pics herself. Everyone was so nice, especially since I work there. We went into the room for the echo and the bed was heated!! I was in heaven! The sono tech told us not to look into her facial expressions much because she always looks focused. After she did her thing for about 40 minutes, Dr. Ikemba came in and took some pics herself. She was so nice! Once we were done they took us into a room to talk "shop".

She explained the normal blood flow of a fetal heart in laymen terms for Jose and then told us that Baby Ismael has two small Ventricular Septal Defects (VSDs). This is what I had...only I had one large one. I immediately started crying. I couldn't help it. I guess the emotions took over. She was so nice to me and calmed me down, handed me some tissue, and let me compose myself. When the doctor was telling us this I looked at Jose and he looked shocked. I told him this is what I had. I couldn't help but feel guilty...like I caused this somehow. She of course read my mind and said this is nothing you did or didnt do. He has never once made me feel like this is my fault. We knew going into the baby making process that there was the possibility of having a child with a congenital heart defect since I had one. She then went on, on how this would work. We have two scenarios. The baby will be born and two weeks later we will bring him in to get an echocardiogram of the heart. Because his heart is so small it is hard to tell the exact location of the VSDs. If they are bigger than expected or close to his valve he will have surgery. If they are still small or not near the valve we will just watch him for signs of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). He can live his whole life as normal and never need to have them repaired. He may never exhibit signs of CHF. If the second option happens he will just have to be followed yearly by a cardiologist and we will just watch for the typical signs of CHF (difficulty eating, sweating, increased work of breathing, failure to thrive). If the first option happens....then he will have to have surgery.

Well I told her and Jose when I have been praying for our child to be okay I asked God that if my child were to be born with a congenital heart defect let it be a VSD. It is the easiest heart defect to fix. She kind of laughed and agreed with me. It is usually just one surgery and boom you are fixed. Plus, we do have some of the best surgeons and nurses at Children's.

So....I am a basket of emotions. Once I looked at the big picture I was fine. Sometimes I just tear up and cry. Jose has been amazing. He is so positive and supportive and knows just the right things to say. The CVICU nurse in me says this is no big deal. Of all the stuff I see this is the easiest. The mother/human in me is absolutely devastated and sad. So please add us to your prayers. I know God would not give us anything we couldn't handle and because I know this I am at ease. I am still scared and worried but at ease.

I am now 20 weeks 1 day!

You know it's TRUE LOVE when...

You know it's true love when your husband tells you lovingly on your way to the bathroom (to TRY to poop for the 2nd time in about 20 minutes) "Don't strain too hard, you'll get hemorrhoids!" Man...I knew I picked him for a reason! I couldn't help but smile really big and say I won't. I guess this is what I get for buying him a Daddy to be book on pregnancy.

In other news...we just got back yesterday from a week at Camp Moss. This is a camp for children who are born with congenital heart defects or have had a heart transplant. Yes, we both went. We had an amazing time! Jose really enjoyed himself too. I have to admit I was worried. Those of you who know my honey know he is not the nicest around children, but he proved me wrong! He fell in love with all of the children and he even wants to go back next year! I hope he does. I wont be able to because I will have a 7 month old son then. I am fine with him going though because these kids loved him! He said a little boy told him he better come back next year. How sweet is that?!

As for my pregnancy it has been hard to sleep this past week. I am on my sides now exclusively and one night I woke up with this pain in my left thigh that felt like I had a huge bruise from hip to knee. I turned over off that leg and the pain went away. I have felt that a couple of times. I also have been feeling this uncomfortable dull pain/numbness on my left side causing me to turn over to the right. I guess Baby Ismael likes to to curl up in my left hip region. I also have been unable to sit in one position for long. I just get uncomfortable. I dont know how much weight I have gained since I have not weighed myself in a week but I can assure you I am now starting to gain weight. My belly is looking more round, but I think I still look more fat than pregnant. Jose and I were looking at this slide show he put together chronicling my pregnancy belly and we can definitely tell a difference. You used to be able to see some definition now....none! When we hit this week's pic we both gasped and looked at each other with wide eyes. I guess it is starting to seem more real!

Last but not least! I felt the baby move a little over an hour ago! I was sitting there doing some homework (exhausted as usual) and I felt this little kick on my right side. It was so subtle and yet strong and light. Almost fluffy. I have no doubt it was Baby Ismael! Jose says it is his way of saying he doesn't like Taco Bell but prefers Taco Bueno!

Well this is all for now. We go have a fetal echo (a real detailed look at the baby's heart) on Thursday and I will update you all then!

I am currently 19 weeks 4 days!

It's a BOY!!!

Jose and I went to the OB/GYN/Perinatologist's office on Thursday. I had a level II ultrasound and an office visit. I had to drink 32 ounces of water 45 minutes before. Well, considering I LOVE water, have to pee every 10-20 minutes, and I know how doctors work (you have to wait forever) I didnt start drinking until about 30 before. Well....at 235 (5 minutes past my appointment) I had to pee so bad. I almost started crying....but my lovely Jose said....just go you have to pee every few minutes anyways...plus I will go get you some water....SO...I discreetly left the office and went to potty.....man it felt so good. Anyhow I get back and he leaves to go get me another liter of water. He came back and I drank another 1/2 liter...lo and behold...I had to pee 5 minutes after that and that is the time they called me back. WHEW!!! At least we didnt get caught!

Anyhow...we saw all of the organs of the baby...his legs, arms, his big head, his fingers, umbilical cord, and his heart! Everything looks great so far! I am measuring a little of ahead of schedule. The baby is measuring almost 19 weeks instead of barely 18 weeks. That put my due date at Nov. 21 instead of Nov. 26. He was moving so much and finally he got still. His bottom was right in front of us and his legs in front of him...I was just thinking, "Oh my God it is a boy!! The doctor told us look at your son! We both looked at each other with big smiles and I said, "I knew it!" Looks like Jose's mom and sister were right. The doctor also said you can tell he is a boy b/c he keeps playing with himself. His little hand kept going down there! I am almost positive I have not seen Jose that excited in a while. After we got done with that part we went to the waiting room and the texting and calling began! My parents were so excited as well as his family.

On Jose's side of the family there are seven grandchildren and six of the are GIRLS! They have been waiting for another boy for 8 years. On my side of the family, the last six out of seven grandchildren have been BOYS. Plus I have two great nephews. We can start a team of soccer players soon.

As for the name of this little boy it will be Ipolito Ismael Flores. He will go by his middle name, which is also Jose's middle name and how he is known amongst his family. Of course Jose picked out the first name. It is after his grandfather. I changed the spelling a little so the child wouldnt be called hippo all of his life. We are so excited!

Tomorrow we leave for Cardiac Camp. It is a week long camp for children with congenital heart defects. I am so excited to go and super excited I get to share this experience with my Jose.

I am 18 weeks 2 days.

Week 16

Well, I have been so busy these last couple of weeks with school and family. I had a lovely, stressful weekend last week. My two adorable nephews Marcus and Cezar came and spent the weekend with me. When they left on Monday I immediately laid down and took a nap! My vacation was wonderful and I hated going back to work. I tried to get Jose to let me be a stay at home wife, but he vetoed that idea since I dont like to clean and would get bored. He has a point.

As far as baby goes...I am getting bigger. I still have not gained more than 5-6 pounds but my tummy looks so different. It is more hard and getting rounder. I am/was very concerned with how my scar was going to play into this whole round tummy thing. I was/am worried how it will look since my chest tube scars are deep. So far the only lump that I have is the dip where my belly button is. I guess when and if that ever pops out my tummy will be round. I have also been experiencing some mad crazy gas and heart burn. Yesterday I ate so much I could hardly pee from all of the pressure on my tummy/organs.

Today is Father's Day and I got Jose a Daddy to Be card. He loved it! He had never heard anything like that before! We do not go to the doctor until July 10 again so I am just hanging out doing school work, working, and spending time with the family.

I guess this is all for now!

I am 16 weeks 5 days!

Week 14

Well, it has been quite some time since I have updated this thing. I think I am into long entries...anyhow. Jose and I went on a trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico. It was fabulous! We had such a great time. We just lounged around in the pool, by the pool, on the beach, and drank. Actually he drank the good stuff, I mainly had water....and an occasional coke. It was not that bad not being able to drink. Since I am not a big drinker anyway, I didnt miss a thing. I ate nachos with guacamole and pico de gallo EVERYDAY for lunch! Jose kept laughing at me! I felt good the whole trip. I only had occasional gas which was fixed with some good 'ol GasX. We have got back on Sunday and I have been sleeping 12 hours every day since. I put a picture of me at about 14 weeks and 3 days before we went out to eat Italian. This is one of my favorite pictures of Jose...he is smoking a cigar on the beach before we left!! Isnt he so cute?!! I absolutely love him!

I went to my new OB/GYN/Perinatologist today. She is fabulous! I absolutely love her! She even gave me a hug on the way out! We mainly just talked about our "game plan", introduced ourselves, and asked/answered questions. She did mention I may have the baby a week before I am due, just so we have a "controlled" environment. I go back in about 4.5 weeks for the BIG ultrasound and a fetal echo with them. Then the next week I have a fetal echo at Children's with Dr. Ikemba. I guess by then we will know if I am having a boy or girl! I told Jose the other day when I woke up that I think I am having a boy. It just came to me all of a sudden. Let's see if I am right. We also talked about my round ligament pain that I have been having. She said when the baby moves really fast one way my muscles have a hard time keeping up so they try to stretch really fast. I was like....okay it makes sense. The only other thing of note when I went in today, I lost about 6 pounds! I dont even know where it went b/c let me tell you I cannot fit into my pants at all! Not even my fat girl shorts! They all fit me around the hips/legs, but I cannot button them at all! I guess I am back at my prepregnancy weight! I told Jose this bit of information and he was like for real?! I mean we can tell my body is definitely different. Oh well, I am not complaining.

Tonight I went to watch my little Marcus play a double header. He did really good and runs really, really, fast! He is so cute!! He kept looking to make sure my mom and I were still there. Halfway through he asked me if I was staying and I said yes...then he asked where's your new car at?! I was like boy, play some ball.

Well, I guess this is all for now! I am currently 14 weeks, 6 days!