Calving Class, Sugar High & Peek-a-Boo

It's definitely time for an update! There has been a lot happening with the Hartwell's this past week!

Michael and I attended a baby class at Methodist Hospital called "Baby Bump to Bassinet" or "Calving Class" as Mike so effectionaly called it. He was a good trooper though, and didn't complain when we had to be up by 5:30 a.m., or when he had to act out a labor scene with me. Overall the class was pretty good. Quite a bit of stuff we somewhat knew, but it was great to have it reinforced- and to get a tour of the hospital where Baby H will be born.  Methodist Women's Hospital is only a few years old, and the labor & delivery rooms are practically as nice as a hotel room. I'm not sure if I would call our stay there a vacation however! :)  Most importanatly, Michael now knows which doors to check in at, depending on what time of day or night we may arrive!

My day off work on Monday was no vacation either! Again, I was up and at 'em by 5:30 to be in trek to Omaha for my 3 hour glucose test (that I had to take after failing the 1 hour).  I was told to fast after midnight, which was no easy task being a hungry pregnant lady! I started the test about 8 a.m., when the drew my blood. I then drank the super sugary substance, 3 times the amount of the 1 hour, and waited an hour. They drew blood at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours then sent me on my way.  I met my mom for lunch, and after waiting about 20 minutes for a table it was a little after noon and I was HUNGRY!  I made the mistake of ordering a lemonade and drinking it while we waited for our food. As soon as the sugar from the drank hit me I started getting hot and sweating. We quickly asked the waiter for some bread and adverted a possible scene of me passing out!

Wednesday was a big obgyn appointment for us, as we finally got the chance to check out Baby H by ultrasound!! This was the first time since our December appointment, so we were a little anxious beforehand. Both the ultrasound tech and doctor looked over the baby very carefully, and all else seems very well! All organs looked good, amniotic fluid was good, baby was practicing breathing. We were able to see a good picture of the heart, and were able to see very clearly that the right ventricle was underdeveloped. The baby's measurements all looked okay, and at 32 weeks baby weights about 3 pounds 13 ounces. They said this was very normal. The leg bone measured a bit small, so we are wondering if it might take after it's Grandma Donna & Aunt Jenna and be on the shorter side?! The baby also takes after it's daddy and did NOT want a photo of it's face taken.  It had it's hands in front the entire time!

I'm now scheduled for weekly doctors appointments, and our "BIG" appointment with Children's, the cardiologist and surgeon is scheduled for March 2nd.  We ask for continued prayers for this appointment, that the doctors and surgeons do not find any additional problems, and that their confidence in the plan for surgery and outcome is very positive!  As always prayers for complete healing are always said! :)

Heart Day!

Happy Valentines Day! This year has an additional meaning for us since it is also congenital heart disease awareness week! We have a very special valentine with a special heart that we are sending lots of love to!
I had a regular appointment with my ob last wednesday and heard the baby's heartbeat. I also did my glucose test. Dr. De Vries called today to say I failed the one hour, so back I go on Monday for the three hour. He also told me I didn't pass the hemoglobin one meaning I'm low in iron. He started me on an iron pill. For those of you who have known me forever, I have never been able to swallow pills! Needless to say these look like horse pills to me, but I've gotten much better at taking all sorts of pills the last fee months!
I also started having ob appointments every two weeks now. Can't wait until next Wednesday when we have an ultrasound. We will let you know how it goes!! We have our all day "baby class' on Saturday at Methodist. I'm sure Michael will be more than entertained.
Thanks again for all your prayers! We are so grateful!

Do not be afraid of tomorrow for God is already there!

A few weeks ago, but about 29 weeks!

Shopping for Baby

Mike and I headed to Lincoln a few weeks ago and started doing some shopping for the baby. We looked at some crib options but didnt end up buying anything. We did spend a few hours registering for baby things at Target. Talk about overwhelming! So many options! The next weekend we were in Omaha and registered at Babies R Us. We also made a successful trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart and got both a crib and dresser. We made sure to get only the best mattress for Baby H- lots of coils! Mike and Stew got everything put together with awesome help from Peg, Mikes grandpa Glenn and myself.

The baby room is coming together, Ill make sure and add pictures. Only 10 weeks to go!!

The crib is almost ready!

Finished project- dresser!