25 weeks and 3 days

Hey everyone! First I would like to apologize for not putting up the last ultrasound photos and videos. Our little passenger (as my friend Erica likes to call him) looked kind of like a puppy dog and I wasn't overly joyed with the pictures we had on there. I may still post them just to post them. We just had another ultrasound done, so I thought I would post this one for you all.

At my previous doctor appointment I had finally gained half a pound. This was an encouragement to both me and the doctor. They still don't seem too concerned because the baby seems to be on target and healthy. However, I still have to go every two weeks to stay on top of things. This week when I went I was down a pound. I see a different doctor every week because of the diabetes, so in reality I was down 2.5 pounds. Hopefully, I am starting to level off now. I promise I am eating.

Other than the weight loss, everything seems to be fine. Ryan still looks like he's a boy. He's 1lb. 15oz, which is right around where he should be. He may be a couple ounces bigger than average, but nothing to be concerned about.

That's about all the news I have for now. I hope everyone has a very safe and Merry Christmas!

Love,
Amber, Justin and Ryan




Side Shot



Feet




Boy Parts




Profile




He is looking at you with his feet up by his head




Waving hello




Flexing his muscles :)




Smiling



Foot by his face




Another face shot

Mommy please tell the nice Ultrasound Tech to stop pushing on me.

Hey, I heard that! (Amber's favorite clip)

This is my foot, this is my foot showing your insides who's boss!

It's A Boy!!!

Hey Everyone! I know it's been awhile...sorry about that. We had our ultrasound at the beginning of the month. I will post the ultrasound pics when I get home. We found out that the little one is a boy. I think that Justin willed it that way or else the big guy upstairs is trying to balance out our family dynamics. Either way it's a blessing.

We have picked the name Ryan Geyer Rowland.

Justin really liked the name Ryan (I do too). Geyer is my great-great-grandmother's maiden name and my great-grandfather's middle name. I figured it was one of the best ways I could honor my father and my grandfather for all they have done for me over the years. And it sounds good. I don't think I need to explain the Rowland part. :)

The doctor said everything looks good and Ryan has a strong heartbeat (164). They are wanting to see me every two weeks now because I keep losing weight instead of gaining. Who knew all I had to do was get pregnant to lose weight...? I'm staying on top of my blood sugar as best as I can. I'm not a fan of the insulin injections, but they are not so bad after awhile. I think that's all the news I have for now. I will post the ultrasound pics later this evening.

All our love,
Amber, Justin and baby Ryan.

P.S. Jason, we will NOT be changing the name :)

Overwhelmed...

I'm trying my best to do what I need to do for my baby, but it seems like the more I try, the more that gets thrown at me.

Last month I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). I met with a nutritionist, got a blood glucose monitor and starting working out more regularly (mostly walking). I have been watching my carbs and eating portion sizes equivalent to the amount of carbs I can have. This is usually no more than a cup of something. My diabetic counselor prescribed a certain number of test strips and keytone strips for me. I then find out that insurance won't cover those items because they are actually over the counter. So, I get to shell out $125 (+ or - a few dollars) each month for these items.

I went to meet with my "counselor" yesterday and found out that she wants me to start taking insulin shots every time my sugar is too high. Unfortunately for me, this is after every meal. YEAH!!! She gave me the insulin pen and a prescription for needles. Now my insurance won't cover the needles unless she prescribes insulin as well. They don't seem to think I have an injectable condition. Lovely. Why do I have to tell the doctors and nurses this. Why don't they know to prescribe both. Common sense to me...they go together. I truly can't complain too much about my insurance. It's good insurance. It has always covered the things I need. I don't have to pay for my doctor appts, co-pays or tests until January because of my wonderful bout with pneumonia. I met my deductible. Praise the Lord for all of that! Seriously!

I just feel like I can't get a break. I have to all this stuff, but we can't afford it. Somehow I am sure this is my fault to begin with, but all I want is a healthy baby. That's all I am asking for and whatever I have to do to make that happen, I will do....Even if I look like swiss cheese when all is said and done. Just needed to vent...thanks!

Today was a day of reassurance

Most of you know that I had been spotting and been very worried about the baby. The doctor ordered an ultrasound so we could make sure everything was ok. Today was ultrasound day. I just stared at the monitor looking at the heartbeat. The baby has a really strong heartbeat (178 beats per minute). It moves around quite a bit, which was also nice to see. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement. We appreciate them all very much.

It was absolutely amazing just to see that little heart flutter so quickly.

Now for the pictures of the little one

Rowland Baby Ultrasound 5

Rowland Baby Ultrasound 4

Rowland Baby Ultrasound 3

Rowland Baby Ultrasound 2

Rowland Baby's Heartbeat

Weepy, wasn't he one of the seven dwarfs?

Ok maybe not, but let me tell you. Weepy should be my middle name right now. I tear up at everything. Rachael Ray ( A COOKING SHOW), Ellen, CSI (for the villain). A song, a compliment...you name it.

Now, I have been known to cry during movies or tear up at a really sappy tv show or moment. But come on, this is ridiculous. I CRIED DURING SCRUBS!!!! Who does that?

Ok, enough ranting. I need to go to bed and see what crazy dream I come up with tonight.

Today was our first doctor's appt. Justin and I met Dr. Morgan, who I really like. He answered all the questions we had and then some. It was a pretty informative appointment.

We didn't get to hear the heartbeat or anything, but he did schedule an ultrasound for September 9th (two weeks). Originally it was just going to be blood work and letting us hear the heartbeat. Since, I have been spotting off and on for the last week or so he decided it would be better to go ahead with the ultrasound. So, more waiting. But hey, isn't that what pregnancy is all about anyway?

The good news is that our little bundle is free until January. Thanks to my husband's WONDERFUL insurance (great job honey). And thanks to my week in the hospital with pneumonia (who would have thought that would be a blessing), we have met all my deductibles and now have to pay nothing until the new year kicks in.

Also, no sickness (sorry Liz and Erin). I have been fortunate enough , so far knock on wood, I have not had any morning sickness. I was sick a couple times when I didn't eat when I should have, but other than that...nada. Thank you mommy for giving me your pregnancy genes.

I think that's all the updates for right now. I'm sure I will think of something more later. Like my recent crazy dreams and Justin's desire to smother me in the middle of the night for being neurotic...only 244 more days to go honey.

Love you,
Amber

Dreams...Dreams...and more Dreams!

Dreams, they can be many things. They can be linked to the food you ate before bed, the conversations you had throughout the day. They can be intuitive or just plain nonsense. Apparently, I have found that when you are pregnant, the dreams seem to get worse. They are more life-like and vivid. They are absolute craziness or linked to fears the mother may have. I decided that I should share my dreams. It will either give you all something to laugh about or comment on. They just aren't right, I tell ya.

Dream 1

I was asian or at least surrounded by asians, so I thought I was asian. I had shoulder length dark hair, but still looked like myself...definitely not asian. I was fighting bad guys. I was a ninja warrior. I had someone working with me that killed a man and took on his name. Then we found the head bad guy. He kind of looked like the villan on Aladin. I lured him into a room and then killed him. It was all very wierd.

Dream 2

I was in an college dorm. I was looking for friends of mine when I met some other people that wanted me to hang out with them. I couldn't seem to get off the elevator in this one building. After 325 floors, I was able to leave the elevator. Then I had to go to another building and go up a million or so stairs until I finally reached the hotel rooms that these people were staying in. By the time I got there I was so exhausted that I passed out.

Dream 3

I dreamed my sister Erin was pregnant and having her baby. (She already had her baby in real life). In my dream we were at some sort of sports arena and she was in labor. She popped out the baby girl we all knew about. Then a couple minutes later she was getting ready to have another baby. At this time we got a phone call that she was being arrested. I'm not sure what for but I think it had to do with all the babies. We went to go bail her out or figure out what was going on. We went into the owner of the team's office where they were holding her. At this time she had had two babies. And they were talking about several more that were in her that hadn't been totally developed and looked more like little tumors. They were trying to figure out what to do. Then I woke up. It was very creepy.

Dream 4

I was driving to go see some relatives of mine. I arrived at an airport where I had to travel up this glass elevator. All around me I could see this amusement park. When I got to the top floor I had to get on this giant water slide that would take me to my plane. Once I got to the plane, it started shrinking, so we were all packed in like sardines. (This was worse than an actual packed plane). I don't remember ever taking off but we got off the plane a little while later. When we got off the plane we were in an actual terminal and I had to wait to be released from the terminal. Everyone was released except me and about 10 other people. I looked around and saw my cousin and her family were there too. We talked for awhile and had a nice conversation. Finally, when we were done talking everyone just got up and left. We apparently had all been released. Again I woke up.

I am seriously contemplating not sleeping the rest of my pregnancy. It's either due to the baby or the prenatal vitamins or something, but I can't take many more of these dreams. It's just crazy. But I will continue to entertain you with the ones I remember.

Love,
Amber

And baby makes Three

Justin and I found out officially on Monday the 28th that we are definitely pregnant. Ok...I am definitely pregnant. It hasn't quite hit him yet. He's excited, but tends to forget that we are having a baby. He'll offer to get me medicine that I can't take, ask me why I can't take it. Then I give him "the look". You know...the are you serious look. That's when it hits him. I don't think he will grasp the fact until our first ultra-sound or until I need new clothes. I don't blame him though. I think that it's harder for most men to grasp the concept until they start seeing the different changes. I mean afterall, it's not their breasts that are sore. They don't have to pee ALL THE TIME, and they don't get the morning sickness.

Speaking of morning sickness...who came up with that term. Because from what I hear it's an all day thing. Thankfully, I have avoided that part for now. Praise the Lord for my mom's genes.

Our first doctor appointment is on August 18th. So we should know a little more then. I will keep you all posted.

Love,

Amber