Pregnancy Journal

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers!  I couldn't have asked for a better pregnancy during these past 9 months.  The baby is "dancing" every day and preparing for his/her arrival in the world.  We have finally decided on baby names which has given Alex and I something fun to discuss over the phone and e-mail.  I've hit the "nesting" stage finally and last weekend was spent cleaning the house, doing laundry, and of course...dropping from exhaustion when night fell!  But sleeping has been more difficult lately and it's not uncommon for me to get up during the night and do dishes or watch TV.  I can't wait until I can be more comfortable and no longer have to roll out of the bed and waddle around!  Ha!  Ha!  The doctor's have continued to be wonderful and I'd be blessed to have any of the three to deliver our baby.  Mom and dad will be here next week but keep close tabs on me since I've had contractions already.  They are ready at a moment's notice to hit the road to Connecticut.  But with the strength of God, I have been very strong being in CT by myself with no family.  It's funny because I've never had a moment of panic or worry-I have my bags packed and tell everyone "well, when the baby is ready-the baby will come regardless of who is here or isn't here."  I love Bridgeport Hospital and have always felt in great care and my needs are always tended to. 

So now the waiting begins.  The funniest thing is everyone at work stares at my belly waiting for some sign that I'll "pop" so I always tease them about it.  Our little one is very lucky-there are so many people excited for his/her arrival in a couple of weeks.  It won't be much longer now!!!

 Veronica 

Wow!  Just 6 more weeks to go!  Where did the time fly?  I had an ultrasound last week-be sure to view the new photos of our little one on the photo album page.  Alex is still in Haiti much to our dismay.  The embassy is certainly taking their sweet time with everything.  But we have been blessed to receive the support of Senator Carl Levin so we hope and pray this moves things along.  However, we have come to terms that he may very well not be back in time for the birth of our baby, but he will be here no doubt afterwards!  Thank goodness for mom and dad to the rescue!  Mom will be my "coach" in the delivery room which will be great.  I've packed the hospital bags and now is the waiting game.  Mom and dad will return to CT in about 4 weeks but if things move sooner, they are prepared to get here fast if needed.  So far, no contractions to speak of.  Everything seems to be going very well.  My gestational diabetes is under control with diet and meds and the doctors say that I now weigh what I did in November before I got pregnant but the baby is growing and is perfect weight.  As of last week, the baby was just shy of 5 lbs.  I call Alex each evening on my computer.  Every time he speaks, the baby starts moving and kicking...definitly recognizing daddy's voice!  This always makes Alex happy.  The nursery is finished.  I settled on a "tropical theme" since our little one is part Haitian!  We have dolphins, beach scenes, palm trees and tropical fish!  I can't wait for Alex to see everything we got!  So just a few more weeks, and there will be the sweet sounds of a baby filling the air!

 Veronica

It's hard to believe that we have just 8 weeks to go!  Where has the time gone?  Mom and dad were out here for 2 weeks which was wonderful.  We were able to pick-out the baby bed, stroller, car seat, changing table, decorate....phew!  They were quite busy while I was at work!  But I never could have done all it without them!!!  While they were here, they had the opportunity to join me for an ultrasound at the hospital which was their first one to experience ever!  It was amazing to see how much our little one has grown over the past couple of months since our last apt.  In fact, we were given about 20 amazing photos where the baby was sucking his/her thumb and sleeping with their hand under their chin!  So cute!  So mom was able to take some photos back for her "Grandma brag book".  Be sure to check the photo album soon as I will post them on there in the next day or so.

We are still praying that Alex arrives safely in time.  The latest news is that with mom's help, we have successfully received the support of Senator Carl Levin who's aid will be calling the U.S. Embassy in Haiti directly.  Praise God!  There are still no guarantees but it's the support we have been praying for.  We hope that this will be the key we needed to get this process finalized.  I'll keep you posted!!!

 Veronica

This past Saturday (5/24) I had my Glucose Tolerance Test at the lab.  It was determined that I have Gestational Diabeties caused by the pregnancy.  Right away my great team of doctors jumped on trying to get things under control.  Thankfully, they wanted to try a change of diet before they would consider medication which is the very last resort for them.  So they arranged for me to visit with the UTA department at Bridgeport Hopsital the very next day.  During this appointment, I met with a wonderful nurse named Linda who will be one of my diabetic nurses for the next 2 months.  She spent over 2 hours educating me on what changes needed to be made, the risks, the positives and taught me how to use a monitor to test my blood 4 times a day.  Then I met with the other 2 nurses who I will also get to know.  I thought this would be a simple appointment but I soon learned that they really will look out for me during the remainder of my pregnancy.  In fact, each night I am required to leave a message listing my four test results and should they be concerned, they will call me in right away.  What care!  But thankfully, this novice has been successful in keeping my results in normal range...phew!  But they also arranged for me to visit with a Diatician next week Thursday (6/5) followed by an ultrasound to check the size of the baby.  The blessing in all of this is that mom and dad are currently on their drive over to CT to visit me for 2 weeks to assist with getting the nursery ready.  Dad is comming complete with his tool belt ready to tackle the "Grandpa's To-Do List"!  So I was able to surprise them with being able to accompany me to the ultrasound appointment next week and they were thrilled!

Only thing missing is Alex.  As you all know, he went to Haiti to receive his visa/Green Card from the U.S. Embassy about a month ago.  I went to see him on May 3rd for 10 days and it is a beautiful country-but boy is it hot!!!  Unfortunately, things with the embassy has not moved as quick as it should/we hoped and they told us it could take as long as 6 months to a year before things can be finalized!  But thankfully after an emotional pregnant meltdown in front of 300+ people, they agreed to expedite his file.  So now it's the waiting game.  He hopes to have a phone call next week stating when his next appointment for the process is and we are praying every day that he makes it home in time for arrival of our little one.