31 WEEKS

It seems like things were going by so slowly until I realized I actually only have 8 weeks left (I am scheduling a c-section a week before my actual due date)! That makes everything seem a bit more doable. Especially since I have had a couple of extra complications sneak up on me this time:

Gestational Diabetes - again! Except this time it is worse and they put me on Insulin. My body is just not processing sugars like it should, even if it is just a small amount (like a sandwich). Our insurance also doesn't really cover medications, so it cost almost $300 for the medication and glucometer parts for one month! But since the scariest complication from gestational diabetes is a stillbirth, it is worth it. By the way, a common symptom of diabetes - fatigue.

Anemia - I didn't have low iron stores with Shade. But I suppose this baby must have Kellen's gorgeous hair or something and needed all my extra iron. My transferrin levels are supposed to be around 300, but they are in the 70s. I am supposed to take iron pills three times a day - but they are very hard on my stomach, and my digestive system, so this one is a tough one. And a common symptom of anemia - fatigue.

Morning Sickness - still here. Like I said before, not nearly as bad as last time, but bad enough to make it difficult to eat an iron-rich, low-carb, high-fiber diet on a daily basis, even with zofran. And I still end up waking up 2-3 times during the night to eat a small snack in order to calm down my stomach = not good sleep = fatigue.

And of course, being 7 months pregnant, and having this baby sit/hang much lower than Shade did, it pulls on my stomach like crazy, especially when I have to walk a lot (although no stretch marks yet!). And still working the two 12.5 hr graveyard shifts each week without much sleep before or between = fatigue.

So in other words, I am pretty tired these days. Kellen and Shade continue to be very helpful, and Shade has been surprisingly understanding of why we don't get to do much these days. Just today I asked him if he could do me a favor real quick, and he said "sure, I'll do anything for you...unless it is 100 things, because that would take all night..." :)

But even though my problems are annoying, I am still grateful that they are not life-threatening. I have a friend who recently had to have an emergency C-section at 29.5 weeks. The baby was less than 3 pounds (about the size of a soda can) and has to stay in the hospital for a couple months until she is big enough to go home. It seems like every time I get bummed about my situation, I am reminded of how much worse it could be. So I'll take my problems over something serious any day. That being said, this baby still had better be darn cute!